Andrew Greig Manager Mobility Distributor Solutions Channel at Sprint Sprint
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More powerful customer racing car for the GT4 class
The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
More powerful customer racing car for the GT4 class
Porsche has revealed the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The mid-engined race car from Weissach is based on the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS road car which has also just been unveiled.
The most significant change is the 4.0 litre six-cylinder boxer engine. This high-revving powerplant has been taken directly from the 911 GT3 Cup race car and develops 500 PS* (horsepower) in the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport – 75 PS* more than the previous GT4 Clubsport model.
In addition to many upgraded details, the focus in developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport was on further improving overall performance. The standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) fitted to the car now uses all seven forward gears, rather than six. All gears feature shorter ratios than in the previous model.
Depending on the track and series-specific regulations, the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport can achieve lap times that are over two percent quicker than the previous model. The homologated vehicle is track-ready ex-factory and can be used in SRO racing series around the world without further modifications.
"We have incorporated our experience of the last three years of running the previous GT4 Clubsport as well as customer wishes into the development of the new car," said Michael Dreiser, Manager of Sales and Distribution at Porsche Motorsport.
"Faster lap times combined with a further improvement in driveability offer our customers a competitive product for the upcoming racing seasons in GT4 class racing competitions around the world."
Porsche began offering the Cayman GT4 Clubsport of the 981 generation in 2016, entering into this new customer racing format early with a competitive car. A total of 421 units were built prior to 2018. The next generation model, which was based on the 718 Cayman GT4, debuted in 2019. It was also an extremely successful car, with around 500 units produced to date.
One of the reasons for the strong demand for these vehicles is due to the low running costs. The use of well-proven series production technology, combined with racing-specific components, significantly reduces the costs for customer teams.
The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport continues this tradition and offers a further improvement in terms of its competitiveness. The 500 PS* 4.0 litre six-cylinder boxer engine taken directly from the current 911 GT3 Cup racing car is almost 18 per cent more powerful than the 3.8 litre engine that was used in the previous model.
Thanks to an optimised air intake, maximum power is achieved at 8,300 rpm – 800 rpm higher than the previous engine. The new engine revs up to 9,000 rpm. It develops 465 newton metres (Nm) at 6,000 rpm instead of the previous 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm. The result is a much wider usable speed band, which makes driving the car much easier for pro-racers and amateur drivers alike.
Modifications to the chassis have also improved the handling of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. The damper technology has been revised from the ground up in order to achieve an optimised vehicle responsiveness and a further improvement in body control. This has had a significant impact on the overall performance of the vehicle and handling.
Upgrades include the use of two-way adjustable shock absorbers with improved characteristics, in addition to adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars front and rear. Vehicle height, camber and toe are also adjustable. Furthermore, three different spring rates for front and rear axle are now available.
Special NACA ducts in the bonnet are designed to direct the air flow more efficiently to the large racing braking system fitted with 380 millimetre steel brake discs. The Porsche Stability Management System (PSM) is designed specifically for motorsports and includes a switch for traction control (TC), ABS and an updated stability control system.
Excellent aerodynamics ensure that the precise and controllable handling of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport remains well-balanced even in fast curves. Front dive planes and an extended front spoiler lip increase downforce at the front axle.
Wheel arch vents in the wings inspired by the 911 GT3 R and air curtains specifically designed to calm the air turbulence around the front wheels, while the fully enclosed underbody optimises air flow to the diffusor at the rear of the car. The swan neck rear wing has now been given a 20 millimetre long Gurney flap and an adjustment range extended by two additional stages.
The previous 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport was the first ever series production race car to use body parts made of renewable natural-fibre composite material. In the case of the new GT4 RS Clubsport, even more extensive use of this material is made in the vehicle as a whole. In addition to the doors and the rear wing, the bonnet, the wings, the aerodynamic components at the front end and the steering wheel are now made of this material.
The use of this flax-based fibre as an alternative to carbon fibre composite material can now be tested in motorsports for its use in road cars. Porsche has been using motorsports as a test bed for technology, processes and materials potentially capable of being used in road cars for over 70 years now.
The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport is equipped to meet all the prerequisites allowing it to compete in racing events directly from the factory. This begins with the welded-in roll cage and the fore and aft adjustable Recaro racing seat, and extends from 2023 compliant six-point racing safety harnesses and safety nets to the fire extinguisher system and the built-in air jack system with three jacks.
The new safety foam on the driver's side meets the international requirements of the SRO racing series. The FT3 safety fuel cell can take up to 115 litres of fuel, making it suitable for endurance racing. Additionally, Porsche offers two different exhaust systems, allowing the GT4 RS Clubsport to compete at tracks with stricter noise limits. The vehicle is also prepared for the later addition of homologated headlights or openings in the bonnet for fast refueling to enable the car to be converted quickly for nighttime endurance racing.
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport is available in Australia with the starting price of 196,000 Euro (ex-factory). Enquiries should be directed to the Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport department via motorsport@porsche.com.au.
View the full image gallery HERE
Further information, film and photo material can be found in the Porsche Newsroom:
newsroom.porsche.com.au
* PS (PferdeStärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in 'metric horsepower'
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Tom Sargent to progress Porsche one-make series with CHE Racing
Formula Ford star to graduate Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Tom Sargent to progress Porsche one-make series with CHE Racing
Tom Sargent to progress Porsche one-make series with CHE Racing
Talented 19-year-old racer, Tom Sargent, has revealed his racing plans for the 2022 season, announcing he will compete in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge national series with CHE Racing Team.
Sargent's progression to a full-time Porsche drive comes off the back of his impressive performances in the Formula Ford junior development category over the last four years, including numerous race wins, round wins and lap records, along with victories in both the NSW and Victorian State Championships.
Sargent will not be left wanting for front-running equipment or team support; he will race the very same Porsche 991 Gen 2 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car currently leading the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship in the hands of Cameron Hill and it will be operated by Hill's CHE Racing outfit.
19-year-old Sargent, who hails from the regional NSW town of Young, said he can barely wait to get behind the wheel of the Porsche.
"A Porsche is one of those brands of cars you dream of racing as a kid, so to say I'm excited for next year is an understatement," Sargent said.
"I'm very impatient for my turn behind the wheel, but Cameron has a Carrera Cup title to win first!
"We identified Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge as a logical next step for my career, because of the exposure it receives as part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships.
"It also enables me to participate in the Porsche Michelin Junior Driver Programme, which will give me access to excellent opportunities.
"We've seen with drivers like Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans and Jordan Love, that there is the chance to forge a successful international career if you do well enough here in Australia."
Hill, who has mentored Sargent through his Formula Ford journey, is looking forward to seeing his young protégé take the next step.
"I have been unbelievably impressed with Tom's performances in Formula Ford, both his driving and his feedback to the team out of the car," Hill said.
"He has the ability to analyse very specific details about how he is driving and how the car is behaving, and he uses those skills to maximise his performances every time he is on track.
"I can't think of a more worthy driver to take over my Porsche next season and I'm looking forward to throwing him the keys after the Carrera Cup Australia season has finished.
"Tom has a few more Formula Ford races this year, so we'll focus on those before giving him some seat time in the Porsche to prepare him for next season."
Should the South Australian border restrictions permit, the final two rounds of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 2021 series, will take place at The Bend Motorsport Park from the 10-12 December.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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A look back through the years of the Porsche Sprint Challenge series, formerly known as GT3 Cup Challenge
The history of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in Australia
A look back through the years of the Porsche Sprint Challenge series, formerly known as GT3 Cup Challenge
Founded in the grass-roots desires of Porsche competitors simply looking for a place to race, the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series has grown to become one of the great success stories from the last two decades of Australian Motorsport.
Formed initially as GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, the series has grown from amateur-based competition for fun to a legitimate pathway for drivers young and old to forge their way through the ranks of the Porsche Pyramid.
It's hugely competitive, high profile, professional and one of the strongest national-level categories in the sport, yet retains the initial charm and enjoyment factor it had in its early years.
Sprint Challenge launched in 2008 during a challenging time for one-make Porsche Racing in Australia. Carrera Cup Australia was – though it didn't know it yet – in its final season before a three-year hiatus, while other more grass-roots level Porsche competitors were frustrated that the Porsche Drivers' Challenge had been absorbed by the costlier GT Championship.
2011-2012-2013
Driven by competitors Sven Burchartz and Jon Trende and with the Administrative nous of Jamie Blaikie and Jodi Zylstra steering the ship, GT3 Cup Challenge was born and launched into the national scene with a 13-car field tackling a cold and blustery day at Mallala, South Australia in April, 2008.
The series fired immediately, with grids in the mid-20s by the middle of the season as owners flocked back to the circuit in droves.
Burchartz won the inaugural series driving his 911 GT3 Cup (type 996) prepared by Sonic Motor Racing, and the seeds were sown for a championship that would only become more competitive.
With Carrera Cup on the sidelines for 2009, 997 generation 911 GT3 Cup cars began to join the series in following years, though that year's title was won by young Queenslander Matt Kingsley, whose devastating pace in the dry, but in particular the wet, set his championship winning season up.
Though any international career ambitions were well tempered by this point, Kingley was the first of a younger brigade of drivers to look at using Cup Challenge as a way of progressing through the local scene; even after two seasons, the championship had a level of exposure and competition that ensured that those at the front were known for succeeding in a championship far from easy to win.
Queenslander Roger Lago was the story of the next two seasons, the quietly-spoken businessman letting his performance on track do all the talking.
He narrowly beat Kingsley for the 2010 title after the latter destroyed his car in a hefty shunt at Sandown late in the season, but romped to the 2011 title in style to become the first to win back-to-back Porsche titles in Australia that decade.
Lago's form was also notable: not only did he beat strong competition, but it gave him enough experience to prove his ability to compete at an even higher level – Lago later going on to succeed in Australian GT Racing and the Pro-Am class of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
With Carrera Cup returning in 2011, the structure of the series changed somewhat: Porsche Cars Australia's own in-house motorsport division taking the reigns as they consolidated their local racing programs. In just four short seasons, Cup Challenge had grown from a 'just for fun' series to a legitimate place on the Porsche Pyramid, feeding upward to the Carrera Cup grid. If anything, it gave the series even more street cred among the local scene.
Kane Rose's title in 2012 marked a true turning point for the championship as the field begun to split into two, gradually evolving into the Pro and Pro-Am class structure that is the norm today. The Victorian was another example of drivers' using the Porsche Pyramid to perfection; his climb came out of the state-based Porsche 944 ranks.
Richard Muscat's 2013 title was the last of the 911 GT3 Cup type 997 era, the Generation II car filtering down from the main game a season later. Muscat's title set him up for a progression up the order into Carrera Cup, a series of strong GT performances and even opportunities at a Supercars level.
While Fraser Ross edged out Jon McCorkindale for a tense 2014 championship win, further down the field there was notable interest in the series' second category, for the now older-model first 997 Generation 911 GT3 Cup cars.
2014-2015-2016
There, a young, reserved man from the Queensland country town of Warwick was doing remarkable things in his older machine, nipping at the heels of the top three or four outright protagonists throughout the season, and occasionally beating them.
His name was Matt Campbell and when he jumped into an outright car at Phillip Island's final round, having already clinched his class title, and dominated the field all weekend, the world knew they were on to something special.
The rest of that story, as they say, is history: less than five years later that Class B Sprint Challenge winner was on top of the podium for Porsche at Le Mans.
After Ryan Simpson gave everyone a beating in 2016, Hamish Hardeman and Jaxon Evans went wheel to wheel for the 2017 title, the former getting the big trophy after a tense year of competition between Sonic Motorsport and McElrea Racing; a Porsche battle that would define both categories for seasons.
Jordan Love's 2017 title set him on his way to a Carrera Cup title – which would come just two years later – while Simon Fallon's 2018 championship came in a final-round clincher after erstwhile leader Cooper Murray's car went nowhere at the start of the final race. Both, though, would progress up the Pyramid.
Harri Jones' 2019 series win ended a streak of four consecutive titles for Sonic – an Australian Porsche Motorsport record – and also represented another milestone: Porsche's Michelin Junior program now stretching through Sprint Challenge all the way to Carrera Cup, and beyond.
2017-2018-2019
Through all that, the Pro-Am drivers have also had their share: Class champions Geoff Emery, Tim Miles, Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin among many others progressing through to Carrera Cup.
Vibrant from the outset, the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge's growth has come almost entirely organically, evolving with the needs of the series and those within it. For some it's a place to prove themselves and progress their career. For others, it's a place to race your mates and have fun. For some it's a little of both.
Given its humble roots, that the series can continue be all things to all people, all the while putting on fiercely competitive and enjoyable motorsport, well into its 14th season is all the more remarkable.
The Champions
2008 Sven Burchartz
2009 Matt Kingsley
2010 Roger Lago
2011 Roger Lago
2012 Kane Rose
2013 Richard Muscat (Professional), John Goodacre (Elite)
2014 Fraser Ross (Class A), Matt Campbell (Class B)
2015 Ryan Simpson (Professional), Geoff Emery (Elite), Aaron Seton (Class B)
2016 Hamish Hardeman (Professional), Tim Miles (Elite), Shane Barwood (Class B)
2017 Jordan Love (Professional), Anthony Gilbertson (Elite), David Greig (Class B)
2018 Simon Fallon (Professional), Danny Stutterd (Pro-Am), Christian Pancione (Class B)
2019 Harri Jones (Professional), Sam Shahin (Pro-Am), David Greig (Class B)
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Head of Australia's premier one-make series to leave Porsche Cars Australia
Troy Bundy announces departure from Porsche Cars Australia
Head of Australia's premier one-make series to leave Porsche Cars Australia
Following a career spanning four and a half years with Porsche Cars Australia (PCA), Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy, has announced he will be leaving PCA during the month of December this year to take on a new opportunity. Bundy will continue in his role until the completion of this year's motorsport season and will announce his new role in due course.
Bundy has been a key contributor to the success of Porsche Motorsport in Australia since he joined PCA in 2017. Both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia have enjoyed strong results under his leadership.
He leaves both series well positioned to continue his success, with the introduction of 30 new 911 GT3 Cup cars (Type 992) already sold ahead of the 2022 Carrera Cup Australia season.
Quotes:
PCA's Sales and Motorsport Director, Toni Andreevski: "On behalf of the entire team at Porsche Cars Australia, I would like to sincerely thank Troy for his contribution to the successful development of the Porsche motorsport business in Australia. Motorsport in is Porsche's DNA, and Troy worked tirelessly on behalf of competitors, teams and our many partners to ensure both one-make Porsche racing categories in Australia thrived. Whilst we are sad to see him leave us, we wish him every success in the new endeavors that lay ahead."
PCA Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working on the Porsche Motorsport programme in Australia, and I am really proud of what my team and I have been able to achieve during this time. While I am moving on to my next project, the Porsche motorsport programme in 2022 has never looked stronger and I am confident the team will continue to deliver the best support categories within Australia "
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The Bend Motorsport Park double header to close out 2021 season
Porsche announce final rounds of 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season
The Bend Motorsport Park double header to close out 2021 season
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to confirm the remaining rounds of both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Championships subject to regional borders between the required states opening up in time.
Carrera Cup's fourth round is currently earmarked for the Repco Bathurst 1000, part of the new six-day event to be held at the historic Mount Panorama circuit, which is scheduled to take place from Tuesday November 30 to Sunday December 5. The return of Carrera Cup in Bathurst follows three thrilling rounds in Sandown, The Bend Motorsport Park and Townsville earlier this year.
The week after Bathurst, Australia's premier one-make series will then head south for a double header at The Bend Motorsport Park, to complete the final two rounds of the 2021 Championship. The South Australian circuit, owned by Morris Finance Pro-Am, Sam Shahin, will see the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship event also host the final two rounds of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series over the same weekend from the 10-12 December.
A drop-the-round ruling – introduced last year by Porsche – may be implemented, should a team be unable to attend. This ruling was already employed to good effect earlier this year by several Sydney drivers (Tim Miles, Indiran Padayachee and Jackson Walls) who were unable to contest the last Carrera Cup Australia round in Townsville, due to travel restrictions at the time in NSW.
While live broadcast coverage of the Repco Bathurst 1000 will be available across both network (FoxSports and Kayo Sports) and Free-to-air (Channel 7) channels, broadcast coverage of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Round will be announced closer to the event.
Quotes:
Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "We want to go racing as much as anybody, and are doing all within our means to get our teams and drivers back on track. This announcement provides the opportunity for both categories to try to complete their seasons in what has been a challenging year for all key stakeholders. I would like to thank our competitors and teams for all the continued support they have provided us during the year, as well as Supercars Australia and Motorsport Australia on working with us over the last few months to achieve the best possible opportunities to go racing again."
For more Porsche Motorsport Australia news and content follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Calendar
Rnd Event State Date
4 Bathurst 1000 NSW 30 Nov – 05 Dec
5 The Bend SA 10-12 Dec
6 The Bend SA 10-12 Dec
2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Calendar
Rnd Event State Date
3 The Bend SA 10-12 Dec
4 The Bend SA 10-12 Dec
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Murray to test new Porsche 992 prior to Global Junior Shootout
Murray to conduct European test in new Porsche 992 & contest Porsche Carrera Cup France
Murray to test new Porsche 992 prior to Global Junior Shootout
Porsche Michelin Junior Australian nominee to test new 911 GT3 Cup (992) prior to Global Shootout
Following the announcement by Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) that Cooper Murray is the Porsche Michelin Junior Australia Winner for 2021 and will be PCA's nomination to attend the Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe at the end of the year. PCA has also confirmed that the Australian nominee will also test drive the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at Portimao Circuit in Portugal on the 18 October in preparation for the Shootout.
The McElrea Racing graduate will then conduct a further two-day test session with Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Team, Martinet by Almeras, at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France on the 20-21 November before contesting the final round of the Porsche Carrera Cup France Championship on the weekend of the 22 – 24 October.
Martinet by Almeras is the same team which supported 2018 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Champion, Jaxon Evans, to second position overall in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Championship this year, behind Larry ten Voorde.
Murray, who is the youngest ever race and round winner in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia history, will also miss the remaining rounds of the 2021 series (on the provision state travel restrictions are lifted) as the Global Porsche Junior Shootout is set to take place on the 23-25 November and he will currently have to quarantine on his return.
Quotes:
Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport, PCA: "We are happy to support Cooper and give him the best possible chance for the Global Porsche Junior Shootout, as the Juniors will be utilizing the new 992 Cup Car for the first time this year. We feel our contribution to his preparation provides him the best opportunity to acquaint himself with the new car in both race and test conditions. This support is further evidence of the investment Porsche is making in the future of Australian Motorsport in our region."
Cooper Murray, Porsche Michelin Junior Winner:
"To be given the opportunity to drive the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car before the Junior shootout event is amazing, not to mention joining the Carrera Cup France grid for the last round of their championship in Portimao. I'm also fortunate enough to do an additional two days in the car to prepare myself in the best possibly way going into the shootout. I can't thank my Mum and Dad enough for all their hard work to make this possible, as well as McElrea Racing and Porsche Motorsport Australia. I'm looking forward to the challenge that is ahead of me. New Car, new tracks, new team and new countries. Bring it on!"
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Murray looks to emulate Campbell and Evans success in Porsche Global Shootout
Cooper Murray wins Carrera Cup Australia nomination for Porsche Junior Shootout
Murray looks to emulate Campbell and Evans success in Porsche Global Shootout
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) has announced Cooper Murray as the winner of the Porsche Michelin Junior Australia Programme for 2021 and as a result their nomination for Porsche Junior Shootout globally later in the year.
After taking the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia round win in Townsville earlier this year, Murray held a 25 point advantage in the Michelin Junior Competition point standings prior to Round 4 over McElrea Racing teammate, Harri Jones.
But the cancellation of the Bass Coast Festival of Motorsport at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit recently – the revised final point scoring round – meant that Murray, as the points leader at the time, earned the nomination from Carrera Cup Australia. Should his nomination be approved by Porsche Motorsport in Germany, Murray will have the opportunity to contest the Porsche Junior Shootout against the best Junior drivers from Porsche Carrera Cup Championships from around the world.
The Shootout opportunity continues to play a crucial role in the development of the best emerging talent from the region and is seen as the most proven pathway for talented drivers to progress to the highest level abroad.
To date, the once in a lifetime prize, helped launch the international motorsport careers of both Matt Campbell (2016 winner) and Jaxon Evans (2018 winner). Campbell is now a Porsche factory driver with victories in Bathurst 12 Hour and Le Mans 24 Hour to his name, while Evans is a two-time Carerra Cup Champion with regular appearances in top-level GT competition globally including the Le Mans 24 Hour, World Endurance Championship and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, where he finished second this season.
Other Carrera Cup Australia drivers to ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid locally and go on to attend the Porsche Junior Shootout in recent years include the likes of Nick Foster (2015); Dylan O'Keeffe (2017, 2018) and Jordan Love (2019). The Porsche Michelin Junior Programme remains the most established and proven Junior driver development pathway to the highest level of both local and international motorsports.
A European race track has been booked for the three-day Shootout, which starts early on the morning of Tuesday, 23 November and ends in the late afternoon of Thursday, 25 November later this year.
Quotes:
Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport, PCA: "Like all the Juniors that have come through our Programme, it's been personally rewarding to see Cooper's development and outright pace mature in both our series, ever since his first season with us in 2018 – which was then GT3 Cup Challenge (Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge.) Despite his young age, he has been a force within Carrera Cup Australia the last two years, against arguably the strongest Pro drivers in the series history."
Cooper Murray, 2021 Porsche Michelin Junior Winner: "I'm very excited and grateful to have been nominated as Porsche Carrera Cup Australia's representative with the opportunity to attend the Porsche Junior Global Shootout event. I hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow McElrea drivers Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans and replicate their success. I wouldn't have been able to get to this point in my career if it wasn't for the amazing support of my family, McElrea Racing and everyone who has helped me along the way."
To learn more about the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme in Australia: https://www.carreracup.com.au/junior-programme/
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Fritz Enzinger passes the Porsche Motorsport baton to Thomas Laudenbach
Change at the helm of Porsche Motorsport
Fritz Enzinger passes the Porsche Motorsport baton to Thomas Laudenbach
Thomas Laudenbach (53) will assume the role of managing Porsche Motorsport on October 1, 2021. The accomplished German engineer takes over from Fritz Enzinger (65), who has led the racing department of the sports car manufacturer to countless successes since 2011. "We cannot thank Fritz Enzinger enough for his enormously successful work over the past ten years. He shaped an era at Porsche Motorsport that led us to incredible triumphs and title wins," comments Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG. "Motorsport has played a very special role in Porsche's corporate strategy. We've always used the racing platform as a test laboratory for the latest technologies. Thomas Laudenbach has everything it takes to successfully continue on this path. We look forward to the future of motorsport, in which we want to take an active role in shaping. The Mission R concept presented at the IAA MOBILITY showcases an exciting preview of what's to come."
When the Austrian Fritz Enzinger came to Porsche in 2011, he spearheaded the successful LMP1 programme with the 919 Hybrid. Between 2014 and 2017, he achieved three overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as winning a total of six world championship titles in three consecutive years. In 2019, Enzinger took over complete responsibility for Porsche Motorsport. Two more world championship titles followed that year, this time with the 911 RSR in the GTE-Pro category of the World Endurance Championship FIA WEC. Under Enzinger's direction, the sports car manufacturer also tackled the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, and won the titles in the North America IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in the fiercely contested GTLM class with the 911 RSR.
"I look back on what we've achieved together with pride and gratitude," explains Fritz Enzinger. "It was an incredibly intense time. The development of the LMP1 programme, the hat-trick at Le Mans and the world championship titles with the 919 Hybrid, the title wins with the 911 RSR, our entry into Formula E and the preparation of our LMDh engagements from 2023 onwards have demanded fortitude and focus from us all. Such successes are always the result of excellent teamwork. My greatest respect and thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this – in the cockpit, on the racetrack, in Weissach, Flacht and Zuffenhausen. My thanks also go to the strong Porsche customer teams who, among other achievements, clinched overall victories in the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and in Spa-Francorchamps," the Austrian added. "Motorsport, like the entire automotive industry, is changing. Thanks to his experience and expertise, Thomas Laudenbach is exactly the right man to lead Porsche Motorsport into this future."
"I'm thrilled about the trust that's been placed in me and excited about the tasks ahead," comments Thomas Laudenbach. "The big goal is to build on the great successes that have been achieved under the direction of Fritz Enzinger. It's a wonderful challenge. We will adapt motorsport to the changed conditions in the automotive industry – from customer racing to factory involvement in the major racing series around the globe. We have our sights firmly set on claiming our 20th Le Mans victory, we want to win world championships – both in endurance racing and in Formula E. It's also important to continue developing our customer racing. With the Mission R concept study, we are showing how attractive this can look."
The qualified engineer Thomas Laudenbach, born in Santiago de Chile, completed his mechanical engineering studies at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. His path initially led him to the DTM and to a service company that developed powertrain components for various European vehicle manufacturers. In the autumn of 1998, Laudenbach came to Porsche AG. As Head of Powertrain Development, he was involved in racing and sports car projects such as the 918 Spyder, 911 RSR, 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup until 2013.
As the leading developer of the 3.4-litre direct-injection V8 engine for the Porsche RS Spyder, Laudenbach also became acquainted with the North American motorsport scene. This will soon come full circle: From 2023, Porsche will compete for overall victories with a new LMDh hybrid prototype in the US IWSC racing series and the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship. As was the case with the RS Spyder between 2005 and 2008, the top American team Penske will once again serve as Porsche's cooperation partner.
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Porsche New Zealand is looking for a young New Zealand driving talent.
Applications for the 2022 Team Porsche New Zealand Scholarship Open
Porsche New Zealand is looking for a young New Zealand driving talent.
Team Porsche New Zealand (TPNZ) is opening the application process for its Scholarship to support a young kiwi talent to drive in the 2022 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series.
In its debut 2021 season, TPNZ has already had success in achieving its purpose – winning & creating a pathway for young New Zealand talent to advance in motorsport.
Despite Covid-19 disrupting the 2021 season and allowing only three rounds so far, the 2021 scholarship recipient Matthew Payne has already achieved two pole positions, a race win and has recently signed with Grove Racing as their inaugural inductee into their Grove Junior Team.
Grove Motorsport run cars in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia, Dunlop Super 2 series and Repco Supercars Championship (under Kelly Grove Racing). They established their junior team to support and foster the next generation of motorsport talent to the highest level of Australasian motorsport, the Repco Supercars Championship.
Which category Matthew will compete in next year has yet to be announced.
Applications for the 2022 scholarship are now being accepted online: Apply Here. They are open until the 15th of October. A shortlist of candidates will then be chosen for interviews and assessments before a final selection.
Earl Bamber: "We are really excited about the Team Porsche New Zealand Scholarship. It is something we are proud to offer, and it gives a solid platform for young Kiwi drivers to aspire to from karts and other national championships. With Matthew's success this season, the programme has already proven its value. It's about providing a pathway to a professional motorsports career."
Porsche New Zealand General Manager, Greg Clarke: "The success achieved in such a short period has been fantastic, and we look forward to following Matthew's development in 2022 as we welcome our second scholarship recipient into the brand new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car (Type 992). This programme, in conjunction with our support of the local Pirelli Porsche NZ Championship & recently announced Super GT New Zealand Motor Racing Series, are key in our support of New Zealand Motorsport and talent."
Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "It is great to see Matthew Payne's development and success this season with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport, as well as the future opportunity he has with Grove Racing Junior team. We welcome all the Junior development initiatives from each of our Carrera Cup Australia teams. They only serve to reinforce the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and our domestic Porsche Michelin Junior Programme – which provides the most proven pathway for emerging talent from across the Australasian region to reach the highest levels of the sport; both locally and internationally."
About Team Porsche New Zealand: Team Porsche New Zealand was formed by Porsche New Zealand in conjunction with Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) in late 2019.
The team is based in Brisbane and run by EBM, whose principals are brothers Earl and Will Bamber. Two-time Le Mans 24-hour winner Earl himself progressed his motorsport career via the Porsche Pyramid through Carrera Cup Asia, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and ultimately as a factory driver for Porsche in both the WEC (World Endurance Championship) and the North American IMSA (International Motor Sports Association).
It is intended that each year a scholarship will be offered to support an exciting young New Zealand talent achieving a drive in the Carrera Cup Australia. With the combination of the Bamber's international motor racing and Porsche Motorsport experience, this scholarship provides a unique opportunity to develop upcoming New Zealand drivers skills for international success.
For further information please contact:
Sales Manager
Porsche New Zealand
Jamie Taylor
Phone: +64 21 803 358
E-mail: jtaylor@porsche.co.nz
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Courtney Prince will feature a new livery and backing from Local Legends Beef Jerky
Local Legends aligns with Sonic driver Courtney Prince
Courtney Prince will feature a new livery and backing from Local Legends Beef Jerky
Sonic Motor Racing Services driver Courtney Prince will feature a new livery and backing when the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge returns to the race track at Sandown in September.
Local Legends Beef Jerky, a loyal supporter on the Australian motorsport scene, has thrown its support behind Prince for the remaining rounds of her maiden Porsche campaign.
Owned by noted motorsport enthusiast Tony Quinn, Local Legends already supports Fabian Coulthard's Team Sydney Holden ZB Commodore amongst a variety of rising stars competing in state-based categories.
"The association started with Tony by competing against him in Aussie Racing Cars and I'm really excited to have him on board with Local Legends Beef Jerky," Prince said.
"I'm grateful for his support as my first big sponsor and I'm thrilled that Tony's interest has led to his company becoming involved in my racing. I am stoked about it and it provides me with added confidence as I look towards the next round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at Sandown in September."
The striking livery that adorns Prince's Sonic Motor Racing Services Porsche 991 Cup Car features Local Legends' trademark fluro yellow colours.
"MSC Signs wrapped the car for us and it has turned out great," enthused Prince.
"The fluro yellow, orange and the black altogether makes it a great livery, and it will definitely stand out compared to my competitors. There's nothing quite as bright as it!"
Prince completed a test at Winton Motor Raceway prior to the Melbourne lockdowns where she completed around 100 laps of running.
After a strong start to her season at Phillip Island, Prince heads to Sandown fourth in the standings with added confidence after racing her Porsche at the venue late last year.
"I raced in the end of year event Porsche held at Sandown last December, so I've done a few laps there," said Prince.
"I'm looking forward to continuing my learning this season and hopefully we'll be at the pointy end. I seem to have clicked with the Porsche and I'm absolutely loving it."
The Sandown round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge will be held on September 17-19.
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Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Round 3, Race, Spielberg (Austria)
Jaxon Evans repeats his 2020 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup win in Spielberg
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Round 3, Race, Spielberg (Austria)
The Red Bull Ring continues to be good turf for Jaxon Evans: The New Zealander won round three of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on the Formula 1 circuit in Styria. It was here in 2020 that the Martinet by Alméras driver won his very first race in Porsche's international one-make cup. Evans swept to the front in the first lap and controlled the 32-strong field over the remainder of the race. At the flag, he held a 0.646-second lead over Luxembourger Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing), who had taken up the race from pole position. Third place was enough for Larry ten Voorde (Team GP Elite) from the Netherlands to defend his championship lead.
The second Spielberg race within two weekends got off to a turbulent start. Taking up the race from the second grid spot, Evans overtook Pereira shortly after the start when he had to veer into the run-off area in a corner. "The brake balance was perfect in qualifying but wasn't quite optimal in the race – the front wheels locked up for a second," said Pereira, explaining his detour. While a vehicle was being salvaged from the gravel trap shortly afterwards, the race officials deployed a safety car. The race had only just gone green again when a similar incident caused another safety car phase. Evans kept his cool after the two restarts and even managed to pull clear of his pursuers. "I was certain that Dylan would have problems with his tyres after his brakes locked up so I wasn't too worried," revealed the New Zealander, who has advanced to position two in the standings after his victory.
While Evans and Pereira turned their laps at a respectful distance, a fierce fight for third place unfolded behind them. Defending champion Larry ten Voorde, Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven (BWT Lechner Racing) from Turkey and Germany's Laurin Heinrich (Nebulus Racing by Huber) battled amongst themselves in almost every corner and also switched positions. Güven overtook ten Voorde only to have a puncture knock him out of the three-way fight during the penultimate lap. Ten Voorde managed to fend off Heinrich, who ultimately took the flag in fourth place and won the rookie classification. "I couldn't do more today," admitted ten Voorde, the reigning champion and winner of last weekend's race at the Red Bull Ring. "Ayhancan's overtaking manoeuvre was superb. If it hadn't been for the puncture, I'd never had caught him again."
The ProAm category went to the Monegasque Nicolas Misslin (Lechner Racing Middle East), who shared the podium with Stéphane Denoual (F/Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and the defending ProAm champion Roar Lindland (N/Nebulus Racing by Huber). Hollywood star Michael Fassbender (X-Men, 12 Years a Slave) finished the race on 24th as a guest driver in the ca. 375 kW (515 PS) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. "My goal was to beat the other amateur guest driver Georgios Frangulis to the flag – and I did it," concluded the German-Irish actor, who normally contests the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in the Porsche 911 RSR.
The winner's trophy was presented by Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board, Production and Logistics, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. "It's fantastic that spectators can now return to the circuits. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup races always have a great atmosphere. As the person responsible for production, I'm thrilled that the teams are very satisfied with the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup," he commented. "As a sponsor for sustainability with our company, I'm proud that the Supercup is powered by regenerative fuel from renewable sources. Motorsport at Porsche has always brought about innovations that benefit production vehicles. Now, motorsport again has the unique chance to advance key elements not only for the automobile but also for society as a whole. In this regard, Porsche has taken the perfect first step."
Round four of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will be contested in Budapest, Hungary from 26 to 28 July, 2021.
Race 3 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, 17 laps, Spielberg (A)
1. Jaxon Evans (NZ/Martinet by Alméras), 28:31.966 minutes
2. Dylan Pereira (L/BWT Lechner Racing), +0.646 seconds
3. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite), +4.902 seconds
4. Laurin Heinrich (D/Nebulus Racing by Huber), +5.370 seconds
5. Florian Latorre (F/CLRT), +5.850 seconds
6. Tio Ellinas (CY/Lechner Racing Middle East), +10.890 seconds
Overall classification Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup after 3 of 8 races
1. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite), 67 points
3. Jaxon Evans (NZ/Martinet by Alméras), 55 points
2. Dorian Boccolacci (F/Martinet by Alméras), 37 points
4. Leon Köhler (D/Nebulus Racing by Huber), 35 points
5. Christopher Zöchling (A/FACH AUTO TECH), 29 points
6. Dylan Pereira (L/BWT Lechner Racing), 25 points
* Full results and overall standings:
https://motorsports.porsche.com/usa/en/article/2021/03/12/pmsc-2021-results
To keep abreast of Jaxon Evans performances in 2021 follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Shannons at Morgan Park postponed
Round 3 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to move to 13-15 August
Shannons at Morgan Park postponed
Round 3 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at Morgan Park in Queensland will now take place on 13-15 August, due to the current border restrictions.
Below is the Motorsport Australia announcement made this afternoon:
The upcoming Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships round at Morgan Park will now take place on 13-15 August.
Originally slated for 25-27 June, ongoing border restrictions mean the event will be pushed back until August to allow all competitors, fans and officials to attend the event in Queensland.
Those who have already purchased tickets for the event will be able to use their existing tickets on the new date. Current ticketholders do not need to do anything to have their existing tickets honoured for the new dates.
Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith said it was pleasing that a new date for the event could be found.
"This round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships is one we have been looking forward to for some time, with a unique 'country round' feel expected at Morgan Park," Smith said.
"We obviously are disappointed that we can't hold this round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships in June, however we are delighted to be able to secure a new date in August to put on a great show for competitors and fans alike.
"Motorsport Australia is working closely with Porsche, the Australian Racing Group and all our loyal categories to work on a track schedule for the new date and will release details of the full line up shortly, but we are hopeful everyone can join us as originally planned.
"A big thank you must also go to the Southern Downs Regional Council and the Warwick and District Car Club for their ongoing support of this event and making sure it's a success for Warwick and the surrounding areas."
Existing categories will be given the option of taking part in the new dates, with the line up to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Tickets remain on sale for the new date, and can be purchased here. Any fans unable to make the new dates will also be able to request a refund.
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Swiss watchmaker to be the Official Watch and Naming Rights partner for Fastest Lap Awards
TAG Heuer expands partnership with both Porsche one-make series in Australia
Swiss watchmaker to be the Official Watch and Naming Rights partner for Fastest Lap Awards
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased announce that Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has increased its partnership with the German car brand in Australia, expanding its motorsport involvement across both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series in 2021.
Together with TAG Heuer's global partnership with Porsche, Porsche Motorsport and the Porsche Formula E team, domestically the brand will be the Official Watch and Naming Rights partner for the Fastest Lap Champions in both Australian one-make series.
In return, TAG Heuer brand will be featured on the Fastest Lap graphic displayed during the qualifying sessions at seven premier Carrera Cup Australia rounds in 2021. At each of these rounds, the TAG Heuer Pole Position Award will also be presented to camera for the fastest qualifying driver in both the Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am classes.
Together with post produced telecast coverage, photo calls and media releases, the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap Award will be presented at both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Awards nights at the end of year.
The TAG Heuer brand also be included on both the carreracup.com.au and porschesprintchallenge.com.au websites as well as related content on the Porsche Motorsport Australia (@PorscheMortsportAU) social media channels. Porsche Cars Australia will also provide a bespoke driving experience for ten TAG Heuer customers at a tailored Porsche Drive the Range event.
Quotes:
PCA Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "This relationship between TAG Heuer and Porsche connects two of the world's most premium brands and extends across all areas of our business in Australia and abroad. To see that partnership enriched further at a local motorsport level allows not only Porsche, but TAG Heuer to continue their strong heritage in motor racing and both our one-make series in Australia."
TAG Heuer, General Manager Australia & New Zealand, Van Mulryan: "We are honoured to strengthen our partnership both globally and locally with Porsche, the alliance which further reinforces our passion and commitment to motor racing. Both brands share an uncompromising commitment to quality and technology, we are excited for what the future holds and look forward to seeing what we will achieve together from this dynamic partnership."
The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph
Carrera as an icon of a name has been associated with Porsche and TAG Heuer for generations – so it was a natural choice for the first creative product collaboration. A tribute to the heritage of two brands, the new chronograph offers a first glimpse at what they can achieve together and is a seamless blend of the Porsche and TAG Heuer universes, reflecting the excellence of both names without diluting the essence of either.
Porsche's engraved inscription is visible on the bezel and the unmistakable font is also used for the indexes. The Porsche colours of red, black, and grey – which also recall historic Heuer models – are incorporated throughout the watch, and on clear display through the transparent cristal case back is the oscillating mass, which has been redesigned in affectionate tribute to Porsche's celebrated steering wheel. It is printed with "Porsche" and "TAG Heuer".
The dial's asphalt effect, created especially for this watch, expresses a passion for the road, while Arabic numerals suggest the numbers on the dashboard of fine Porsche sportscars. The timepiece is presented either on a soft strap in luxurious calf leather and innovative stitching that echoes the Porsche interior or on an interlocking bracelet reflecting streamlined racing design. At the heart of the timepiece is the in-house Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture movement with an impressive 80-hour power reserve.
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Suhle and Shahin victorious in final race at Sydney Motorsport Park
Pancione and Shahin take the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge round win
Suhle and Shahin victorious in final race at Sydney Motorsport Park
The third race of Round 2 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series took place slightly later than scheduled after thick flog blanketed the Sydney Motorsport circuit on the Sunday morning, causing a small delay in the Motorsport Australia program.
But the fog gradually lifted during the morning and clear skies greeted the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge competitors as all 21 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars took to the grid for the final race.
As in Races 1 and 2, Christian Pancione made a great start to lead his teammate into turn 1, followed by Bayley Hall and Callum Hedge. Hall, like most of the field, had used up his two allocated sets of new Michelin tyres earlier in the weekend and would start the final race on used rubber.
While the Queenslander would jump passed the Team Porsche New Zealand driver off the line, Hedge would eventually retake third position after drafting passed Hall into turn 1 later in the race.
Behind the leading quartet, Sam Shahin had again assumed control of the Morris Finance Pro Am from the start and was involved in a tussle with Courtney Prince for the duration of the race.
The safety car was deployed on lap 3 after Ross McGregor's Ash Seward Motorsport drew to a halt in turn 3. After closing the gap to Pancione after the restart, Suhle would challenge for the lead, overtaking his teammate around the outside of turn 8.
Suhle would maintain that advantage to the line with Pancione finishing second to take his maiden round win in the series. Hedge filled the remaining step on the Mobil Pro podium for the Earl Bamber Motorsport team. Pancione's efforts in Sydney sees the VCM Performance driver now reduce Suhle's lead in the series from 19 to 13 points heading into round 3.
Sam Shahin's three race wins in Sydney, sees him with a commanding lead in the Morris Finance Pro Am class, with Sergio Pires and Valmont Racing teammate Marcel Zalloua finishing the round in second and third in class respectively. Zalloua would make up six positions in Race 3 to finish third just behind Pires in the final race of the weekend.
The next round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series takes place at Morgan Park in Warwick, Queensland on the 25-27 June.
Race results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
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Christian Pancione and Sam Shahin dominate Races 1 and 2
Pancione takes maiden Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge victories
Christian Pancione and Sam Shahin dominate Races 1 and 2
Clear skies and cool conditions greeted Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge teams as they rolled out for the first sprint race of the weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.
After dominating both Friday's practice sessions and narrowly missing out on the qualifying window to take pole in the Mobil Pro class the previous evening, Christian Pancione made the perfect start from the front row to lead his McElrea Racing teammate, Ryan Suhle, and the rest of the chasing field through Turn 1.
Pancione's pace was blistering in the opening stages, lapping over a second faster than anyone in the 21-car field. The VCM Performance driver would quickly amass a 3 second advantage over his McElrea Racing teammate and control the race fairly effortlessly to the flag.
Suhle would finish a hard fought second after coming under heavy pressure from Callum Hedge in the early laps after out breaking himself into turn 2. Hedge would eventually cross the line 4 seconds behind the Queenslander in third with Bayley Hall and Courtney Prince rounding out the top five.
After a treacherous qualifying, Sam Shahin would overcome Sergio Pires early in the Morris Finance Pro Am battle and take the lead into turn 2. Despite being plagued with brake bias issues, The Bend Motorsport Park owner would take the class win ahead of Pires and Matthew Belford.
One the most impressive drives of the race, was from Shahin's teammate, Tom Taplin, who would make up over 14 places to finish in seventh overall. The most entertaining tussle for spectators lining the Sydney Motorsport Park circuit however, was in the Morris Finance Pro Am mid field, which saw Marcel Zalloua, Michelin Junior Madeline Stewart, David Greig and Ross McGregor embroiled in race long battle.
As Pancione had used his second allocated set of Michelin control slick tyres in qualifying, many expected the 19-year old to fade in the second 45-minute endurance race. But as in Race 1, Pancione made a clean start and built an early lead lapping four tenths quicker than Suhle. Both Pancione and Suhle gradually pulled away from Callum Hedge and Bayley Hall, with the series debutants matching the more experienced front pair for pace in the early stages.
While a short delay when lapping a back marker toward the end of the race looked like it may rob Pancione of his second race victory, he absorbed the pressure from Suhle and maintained his advantage to the line.
Sam Shahin would continue to dominate Morris Finance Pro-Am in Race 2. Despite issues with his HTFU liveried Porsche 911 GT3 Cup's cooling and steering systems, the South Australian had pulled out a 10 second advantage with 20 laps remaining and eventually cross the line over 20 secs ahead of his nearest competitor, Sergio Pires.
Pires recovered from an early altercation with Matt Belford into turn one on the first lap and was followed home by David Greig, Michael Hovey and Graham Williams. One of the stand out drives of the second race was that of Hovey, after starting from the back of the field due to a gearbox issue in the first race, the Morris Finance Pro Am made up 12 positions to finish in ninth overall.
The third and final race of the weekend takes place at 14:05 local time on Sunday and will be broadcast live via the 7Plus app.
For Race 1 and 2 results visit: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
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Sergio Pires takes his maiden pole in Morris Finance Pro-Am
Suhle and Pires top Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge qualifying
Sergio Pires takes his maiden pole in Morris Finance Pro-Am
Ryan Suhle will start Round 2 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series from pole position after topping Mobil Pro class in an eventful Friday night qualifying session under the Sydney Motorsport Park lights.
In contrast to the wet and wild conditions of Round 1, the pace in each Friday's three sessions was very quick, due in part to the near perfect weather and the added grip from Sydney Motorsport Park's newly resurfaced turns two and three.
Practice 2 lap times as a result saw the front four cars all drop under the existing race lap record of 1m30.869s, currently held by none other than Jaxon Evans in a 997 generation 911 GT3 Cup car in 2016.
But as the 21 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car field ventured out for the first lap of qualifying under lights, Tom Taplin was caught out, spinning on cold tyres and making contact with the safety barriers. The session was red flagged and after a delay it was the turn of Sam Shahin to bring out a second red flag for the session.
With only 3 minutes remaining, Suhle made the most of the second restart to claim pole from team mate Christian Pancione by 0.4 secs, the largest margin between the whole day. The pace of the McElrea Racing front pair throughout Friday will serve as an ominous sign for the chasing Mobil Pro field as McElrea drivers have taken the last two round wins at the circuit with Jimmy Vernon victorious in 2018 and Harri Jones in 2019.
While Suhle had trailed Pancione in the days first two sessions, the latter's improvement and pace in both Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia has been impressive to watch so far this year and the VCM Performance driver has gone from strength-to-strength since joining the McELrea squad from Ash Seward Motorsport.
Keeping them honest in tomorrow's first race will be Porsche Team New Zealand driver, Callum Hedge, and the youngest addition to the McElrea team, Bayley Hall. The two Michelin Juniors continuing to impress in their debut season along with Courtney Prince.
In the Morris Finance Pro Am class, Shahin had looked the class of the field the whole day, but The Bend Motorsport Park owner could only recover second by the time the session ended. An ecstatic Sergio Pires found himself on pole, the first of his career. Matthew Belford and Michael Hovey will start in third and fourth respectively for the first race.
Quotes:
Ryan Suhle, McElrea Racing: "It was a massive day, we we're here for the track walk at 07:00 this morning and we just went out tonight at 19:30, so it's probably one of the biggest racing days we'll do given we can drive at night here, it was awesome. The two red flags saw two resets, so it was just about coming in, clearing your head and going again. The lighting system here is so good it was almost like daylight, the only difference was in the cabin. I've done a bit of karting under lights so it wasn't unfamiliar and I really enjoyed it."
Sergio Pires, Valmont Racing: "I saw Sam go off and he's the class of the field, so I knew this was my chance to take the pole. I put down a good lap following some of the guys out the front which helped. It was my personal best as well, so a really a good session all round. This is the best track in Australia when racing under lights in my opinion, but this is my home track, so I might be a bit biased, for me it just feels special."
Saturday morning sees the Race 1 sprint race start at 09:35, while the 45-minute Race 2 Endurance takes place at 15:10. Both races will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Purchase Round 2 tickets in advance as no ticket sales will be available at the SMP gate
Pre-purchase your tickets for Round 2 at SMP and save time
Purchase Round 2 tickets in advance as no ticket sales will be available at the SMP gate
Fans heading to Sydney Motorsport Park for round three of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships must purchase their tickets in advance, with no ticket sales available at the gate.
While tickets will be available online throughout the weekend, fans are being encouraged to purchase their tickets before heading to SMSP to save time and speed up entry to the circuit
There are no extra fees for purchasing in advance.
Spectators are also reminded that Friday's action will not be open to the general public, however tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday, including discounted weekend passes offering access to both days. All tickets include access to the paddock and grandstand areas.
Those attending are also reminded that Sydney Motorsport Park is a cashless venue, with no ATMs on site.
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
SCHEDULE: Round 2 – Sydney Motorsport Park
Race 1: Sat 01 May 09:35-09:55 7plus
Race 2: Sat 01 May 15:10-15:55 7plus
Race 3: Sun 02 May 14:05-14:25 7plus
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News
21-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid for Round 2
Sydney Motorsport Park to host Porsche qualifying under lights
21-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid for Round 2
After wet weather and two unfortunate accidents marred the opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, both Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am competitors will be looking forward to drier conditions and better fortunes when they converge on Sydney Motorsport Park for Round 2 of the one-make series on Friday.
A full Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship program has provided a rare opportunity for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge competitors to qualify under lights on the Friday evening. The 20-minute qualifying session follows two earlier practice sessions on the first day, before the business end of the weekend starts early on Saturday morning, where teams contest a 20-minute Sprint race followed by a 45-minute Endurance race. The final 20-minute Sprint race of the weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon, with all three races broadcast live on the 7plus app.
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series last visited Sydney Motorsport Park in May 2019, a fiercely competitive round that saw three different winners from the three races. Max Vidau won race 1, while Ryan Suhle and Harri Jones shared the spoils in races 2 and 3. Sam Shahin was fourth overall and took home the silverware in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class.
Suhle will be hoping to carry the momentum from both Round 1 and his 2019 race victory into Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, with the McElrea Racing driver currently leading the Mobil Pro Championship from the Team Porsche New Zealand rookie, Callum Hedge. The impressive New Zealand teenager gave the Earl Bamber Motorsport team their maiden win on Australian soil on his (and their) debut and will again be a podium contender in Round 2 together with McElrea Racing team mates Christian Pancione and Bayley Hall, as well as Courtney Prince from the Sonic Motor Racing team.
In Morris Finance Pro-Am, Porsche Centre Melbourne driver, Matt Belford, leads the Championship for the first time in his career, from Sam Shahin. David Greig sits third with Michael Hovey fourth after a second in race two in Phillip Island. Shahin became just the third driver to notch up 100 race starts in the series in the opening round, only Ross McGregor (106) has more.
The Bend Motorsport Park owner will also surpass John Goodacre for second on the list for all-time starts in Sydney – and will eclipse Goodacre for rounds started at the Sydney circuit, with the pair currently tied on 34 starts a piece following the Victorian event.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
ENTRY LIST: Round 2 – Sydney Motorsport Park
# NAME SURNAME CLASS SPONSOR
2 Richard Cowen Morris Finance Pro-Am McElrea Racing
3 Jonathan Gliksten Morris Finance Pro-Am Racing to Beat FA
5 Nathan Murray Morris Finance Pro-Am Garage 1
7 Ryan Suhle Mobil Pro Latitude Coffee
8 Madeline Stewart Mobil Pro Porsche Team NZ/EBM
9 Callum Hedge Mobil Pro Porsche Team NZ/EBM
13 Sam Shahin Morris Finance Pro-Am HTFU / OTR
14 Matthew Belford Morris Finance Pro-Am ID Land
22 Andrew Goldie Morris Finance Pro-Am Cirrus Aircraft
26 Tom Taplin Mobil Pro Taplin Real Estate
28 Bayley Hall Mobil Pro Siebe Gorman
29 Rob Woods Morris Finance Pro-Am TekworkX Motorsport
32 Courtney Prince Mobil Pro Sonic Motor Racing
44 Marcel Zalloua Morris Finance Pro-Am Valmont Racing
55 Sergio Pires Morris Finance Pro-Am Valmont Racing
68 Terrance Knowles Morris Finance Pro-Am ASM
73 Michael Hovey Morris Finance Pro-Am HHH Racing / Triffid
76 Christian Pancione Mobil Pro VCM Performance
87 David Greig Morris Finance Pro-Am David Greig
99 Ross McGregor Morris Finance Pro-Am Southern Star Windows
131 Graham Williams Morris Finance Pro-Am Sonic / Williams Racing
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Round 2 – Sydney Motorsport Park
Race 1: Sat 01 May 09:35-09:55 7plus
Race 2: Sat 01 May 15:10-15:55 7plus
Race 3: Sun 02 May 14:05-14:25 7plus
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Matt Belford's journey up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid through the Porsche Track Experience
From track days to the top of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge podium
Matt Belford's journey up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid through the Porsche Track Experience
Just five rounds in the 2019 series was all it took for Morris Finance Pro-Am, Matt Belford, to climb to the top step of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge podium. Belford took out the class win at the opening round of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 2021 season at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
His story is a great example of where the Porsche Track Experience can develop participants and how his journey up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid offers opportunities for drivers of all experience levels, to ascend from track day enthusiasts to the top echelons of national competition.
Belford's passion for motorsport evolved after completing all five levels of the Porsche Track Experience in 2018. His brother, also a keen motorsport enthusiast and historic racing competitor, then convinced him to buy a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car to use in track days.
Belford participated in a range track day events including the Porsche Pole Position experiences at Albert Park and Bathurst, before returning to Porsche Track Experience to complete Level 4 and 5 again in 2019.
The Melbourne resident joined the Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport team under the guidance of Team Manager and Race Engineer, Karl Batson the same year. Belford improved every round and would finish seventh out of 15 Pro-Am competitors in his debut Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season in 2019.
According to Batson, "Matt was a quick learner from the start and takes instruction well. He never gets flustered or emotional at the track, he just comes in from every session sees where he needs to improve and goes out and does it."
"Every test and race session we've had with him, he's bettered his personal best and lap times. Overall he's down-to-earth and a great guy to have in the team, we all get on very well," Batson enthused.
Following his first round victory in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class in a wet and wild season opener at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit this year, Belford paid homage to the support of not only his brother and the whole Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport Team, but also his driving coach and Porsche Centre Melbourne teammate, Nick McBride.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/7SKAocQXX4E
McBride, himself a widely experienced and successful Mobil Pro driver in the premier Carrera Cup Australia series said, "When Matt joined the team, he had next to no racing experience, which was an advantage in a way as he was almost a clean canvas to work with. "
"He's very driven and has a natural ability and picked up pace fairly easily. His first year he showed massive glimpses of speed, but lacked the experience to give him the consistency and extract the best from the car in qualifying."
"He has a really good attitude and knows what success looks like on and off the track. You can see it in how he prepares and does his homework before test days, he's very analytical, spending a lot of time reviewing data to know what the limit is and what's achievable. I think he's also learn't from Jonathan (Gliksten) at high speed circuits."
"The biggest difference I've seen in him this year over 2019, was that he is not making the same mistakes. He's an intelligent driver and for example knew to drive within himself in the wet at Phillip Island and that ultimately won him the round. He's on a very steep trajectory of improvement and I feel he will be very quick in a year or so, with every race he gets under his belt," McBride concluded.
Belford will be in action in Round 2 of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series which takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park from 30 April to 02 May. All three races will be broadcast live on the 7plus app. The app is free to download and accessible from any computer, smart tv, or mobile phone, together with replays of each race on demand.
To learn more about the Porsche Track Experience and the courses available visit https://porscheevents.com.au/Track-Experience or email trackexperience@porsche.com.au
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McGregor, Hovey and Gliksten all discharged from medical centre after Race 3 accident
Suhle and Belford take Phillip Island round wins after accident red flags Race 3
McGregor, Hovey and Gliksten all discharged from medical centre after Race 3 accident
The final race of the Round 1 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series in Phillip Island, was red flagged soon after the race start after Jonathan Gliksten and Michael Hovey made contact on the exit of turn 2.
The altercation between the two Morris Finance Pro-Am drivers also sandwiched an unlucky Ross McGregor against the inside tyre wall. While all three drivers were taken to the Phillip Island medical centre and later discharged, all three Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars were severely damaged and had to be recovered from the circuit.
As a result of the incident, race 3 was red flagged by the Motorsport Australia officials and Gliksten was handed 10 series points penalty. He will also have to start from the rear of the grid for the first race of round 2.
The round win in each class was then based on the performance of the drivers in Races 1 and 2, which saw Ryan Suhle take the overall win in Mobil Pro from Callum Hedge and Christian Pancione.
Ryan Suhle (Mobil Pro winner): "It was great to get the first race win yesterday and obviously in the wet it was pretty interesting for Race 2. It was the first time for me in the rain in one of these Cup cars and I certainly found out that it bites sometimes. I was just happy to recover through the field to second."
"While today was a little disappointing as we all want to go racing, we're also just glad that the guys are all ok. Overall, it's great to come away from the weekend with the championship lead."
Matthew Belford took his maiden round win in Morris Finance Pro-Am, from Sam Shahin and David Greig.
Matthew Belford (winner Morris Finance Pro-Am) said: "It was a great weekend, but finishing with a red flagged race was unfortunate, but we all just really glad the guys are ok. My weekend was good, qualifying I was fourth and fought my way to second in race 1 while race 2 was just wild. I was just thrilled to take the overall round win."
"It was only three years ago I was doing track days and went on to do the Porsche Experience Driver Training up in Queensland. I enjoyed that and bought a Cup Car and started doing Sprint Challenge and now within just a few years, I have my first race (and round) win. I can't thank the whole Porsche Centre Melbourne team enough especially Karl Batson and Nick McBride."
The next round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park on the 01-02 May.
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Round 1, Phillip Island, Race 1 and 2 review
Belford and Hedge take maiden wins in rain affected Race 2
Round 1, Phillip Island, Race 1 and 2 review
Phillip Island serves up wet and dry conditions for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season opener
After a 16-month break, twenty Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 91 GT3 Cup cars lined-up for Race 1 of the 2021 season. Overcast, breezy conditions had replaced the sunshine and blue skies of Friday's qualifying. While the asphalt for Saturday's opening sprint race would be dry, a huge rain front was on the weather radar for later in the day.
Pole sitter Ryan Suhle made clean start to lead the Mobil Pro field into the first turn, followed by debutants Bayley Hall and Courtney Prince in close attendance. Callum Hedge struggled to get his Team Porsche New Zealand 911 GT3 Cup car off-the-line dropping three places. Morris Finance Pro-Am top qualifier, Sam Shahin had to take evasive action to miss Hedge, but as a result found himself in fourth position overall after lap 1 just behind the leading Mobil Pro trio.
Matthew Belford had also made a strong start from tenth on the grid, jumping three spots into second in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class. Belford was closely followed by David Greig, Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires for the opening laps.
Suhle quickly amassed a 2.2 sec lead at the front of the field, while Pires and Tom Taplin dropped down the order after early off-track incidents. After Christian Pancione and Callum Hedge caught and passed Shahin, attention then switched to the battle between Hall and Prince for second position.
Hall and Prince were locked in battle for the entire race holding their podium positions to the line. They were followed home by Pancione in fourth and a recovering Hedge in fifth. Despite a small lock-up toward the end of the race, Suhle looked unfazed and controlled the gap to the chasing pack throughout the race. The McElrea Racing driver eventually crossed the line 1.6secs ahead of his teammate, Hall.
Shahin meanwhile would grow his advantage over the Morris Finance Pro-Am throughout the race and cross the line first in the class. Behind Shahin great racing had ensued throughout the field between Matthew Belford, David Greig and Marcel Zalloua. Michael Hovey and Shane Barwood too were locked in an intense battle further down the order, until Barwood spun late in the race, allowing Hovey to come home in 14th.
As predicted a huge rain front hit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit around midday, forcing the officials to declare a wet race for the second sprint race. The sodden conditions saw the field start behind the pace car as a precaution. Suhle would jump the field at the restart and pull out a 2.5 sec lead by the end of the first lap. The McElrea Racing driver then set the fastest lap of the race – nearly 4 seconds faster than his nearest rival at that point- until spinning under brakes at the turn 3 hairpin. On the same lap, Shahin would ironically also spin at the same corner dropping him down the order to 13th overall.
With Suhle and Shahin started their recoveries through the rain and field, Courtney Prince seized the opportunity for the overall lead at the front of the field, overtaking Bayley Hall. The Team Porsche New Zealand entry of Callum Hedge was on the move however and would catch the pair, setting the second fastest lap of the race.
After overtaking both Hall and Prince, the young Team Porsche New Zealand driver would tenaciously hold onto that lead for the remainder of the incident marred race, giving the Earl Bamber Motorsport team their first race victory in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series on debut.
After an impressive drive, Prince would spin late in the second race and eventually finish the race in fifth. Bayley Hall's equally impressive weekend would come to an unfortunate end in the dying laps due after making contact with a recovering Shane Barwood on the main straight. Hall was lying a strong third in Mobil Pro class until that point. Unfortunately the damage sustained in the incident, saw both Hall and Barwood's cars retired for the weekend, but thankfully neither driver was hurt in the incident.
Suhle would eventually recover to second behind Hedge by the time the flag fell, with Tom Taplin coming home third. Despite several cars struggling in the worsening conditions, it was Matthew Belford who would emerge unscathed to take his maiden Morris Finance Pro-Am victory for the Porsche Centre Melbourne team, ahead of Michael Hovey and Shahin.
The third and final race of the weekend will also be the longest (45 minutes) on Sunday morning and gets underway at 10:05am AEDT. The race will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
For Race 1 and 2 results visit: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
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Round 1, Phillip Island, Qualifying
Suhle and Shahin top Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge qualifying
Round 1, Phillip Island, Qualifying
Sunshine and warm track temperatures greeted teams as they ventured onto the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season.
As expected McElrea Racing's Ryan Suhle topped the timesheets in both the Friday practice sessions. Suhle's advantage over the chasing Mobil Pro field in the day's final qualifying session was 0.4secs, in a dominant display from the Michelin Junior driver.
Just behind Suhle was a trio of newcomers to the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Mobil Pro class including Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing), Callum Hedge (Porsche Team New Zealand) and Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing), who all improved and impressed throughout the days sessions.
"It was good to take poll on that last lap and come across the line in a good position for tomorrow's race. After the break last year, it was great to have a strong result and some seat time in Sandown last December. That race really helped today, as any time in the car counts and was good preparation for this year" Suhle said.
"2021 is going to be a really competitive season, as it always is in Sprint Challenge. But that's what you want in a series and a good line-up of drivers is great for the whole series."
Sam Shahin looks to have started this season where he left off in 2019. The reigning Morris Finance Pro-Am Champion, dominated all three Friday sessions in his brightly liveried HTFU Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, prepared by Buick Motorsport. The South Australian was kept honest throughout the day by a hard charging Sergio Pires and former Class B front runner, David Greig.
After qualifying, Shahin, who celebrates his 100th start in the series in Sunday's final race, was very happy with his performance after a massive accident sidelined The Bend Motorsport Park CEO in the Bathurst 12-hour a year ago,
Shahin enthused, "I'm very thrilled on so many fronts. I can't believe I'm in a race car to start with and everyone in the Pro-Am class is fast this year. All the drivers here went out of the gate very fast this morning, but that is what it should be."
"This is a track that rewards bravery and commitment. Everyone has done exceptionally well and it's great that there were no incidents throughout the day," Shahin concluded.
Saturday sees two sprint races taking place in what looks to be a very wet weekend according to the weather forecast. The Michelin wet tyres are likely to be working to their optimum with between 5 to 10mm predicted for tomorrow. Race 1 gets underway at 10:30 AEDT, followed by the second sprint race at 15:05 AEDT. Both races will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
Full results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
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Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am entries announced ahead of season opener
Solid 20-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid for Phillip Island
Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am entries announced ahead of season opener
After a 16-month forced break as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge teams mark their return to the track this weekend at one of Australia's most iconic race circuits.
Round 1 will see a grid of twenty (20) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars take to the Phillip Island Grand Prix start line, with the premier Mobil Pro class featuring some of the country's top junior drivers and the Morris Finance Pro-Am class destined to be one of the mostly hotly contested in the series history.
McElrea Racing teammates Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione carry strong momentum into the 2021 season after strong performances in both the 2019 series and the more recent Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup one-off event at the Sandown International Raceway last December.
South Australian, Tom Taplin returns as well for 2021 and will again be an ever present contender for race honours. Set to challenge the established trio of Michelin Juniors is a swathe of talented newcomers all with strong racing pedigrees. The challengers include Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing); Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing) and the Porsche Team New Zealand pairing of Callum Hedge and Madeline Stewart (Earl Bamber Motorsport).
2019 Morris Finance Pro-Am champion, Sam Shahin returns to defend his class title, but will face strong opposition this season from the likes of Andrew Goldie and David Greig, who have made the step up from the 997 Class. Other experienced contenders expected to challenge the front trio include: Matthew Belford, Ross McGregor, Michael Hovey, Sergio Pires, Marcel Zalloua, Jonathan Gliksten, Shane Barwood, Graham Williams and Nathan Murray, while Terrance Knowles makes his debut in the series with Ash Seward Motorsport.
After two practice sessions and a 20-minute qualifying on Friday 12 March, teams contest two sprint races on Saturday, followed by a final 45-minute race on Sunday morning. All three races will be broadcast live on the 7plus app. The app is free to download and accessible from any computer, smart tv, or mobile phone, together with replays of each race on demand.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
ENTRY LIST: Round 1 – Phillip Island
# DRIVER SURNAME SPONSOR Class
3 Jonathan Gliksten Racing to beat FA Morris Finance Pro-Am
5 Nathan Murray Garage 1 Morris Finance Pro-Am
7 Ryan Suhle Latitude Coffee Mobil Pro
8 Madeline Stewart Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
9 Callum Hedge Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
13 Sam Shahin HTFU / OTR Morris Finance Pro-Am
14 Matthew Belford ID Land Morris Finance Pro-Am
17 Marcel Zalloua Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
21 Shane Barwood Morris Finance Pro-Am
22 Andrew Goldie Cirrus Aircraft Morris Finance Pro-Am
26 Tom Taplin Taplin Real Estate Mobil Pro
28 Bayley Hall Siebe Gorman Mobil Pro
32 Courtney Prince Sonic Motor Racing Mobil Pro
55 Sergio Pires Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
68 Terrance Knowles Ash Seward Motorsport Morris Finance Pro-Am
73 Michael Hovey HHH Racing / Triffid Morris Finance Pro-Am
76 Christian Pancione VCM Performance Mobil Pro
87 David Greig David Greig Morris Finance Pro-Am
99 Ross McGregor Southern Star Windows Morris Finance Pro-Am
131 Graham Williams Sonic Motor Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Round 1 – Phillip Island
Race 1: Sat 13 March 10:30-10:55 7plus
Race 2: Sat 13 March 15:05-15:25 7plus
Race 3: Sun 14 March 10:05-10:50 7plus
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Coffex to keep the Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Sprint Challenge teams energized for 2021
Coffex Coffee Roasters renews partnership with Porsche Cars Australia for 2021 season
Coffex to keep the Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Sprint Challenge teams energized for 2021
An integral part of the service Porsche provides to its teams and drivers at each event would only be possible with the support of partners Coffex Coffee Roasters, who have renewed their support of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
Coffex has been closely aligned with the Carrera Cup Australia series since the start of the 2015 season when it began as the Official Coffee Supplier of Australia's premier one-make series, providing coffee, tea and associated products to all involved in each series.
The Coffex Coffee bar is traditionally the most popular feature within the Carrera Cup Australia hospitality lounge at each event and provides a place for teams, partners and drivers to relax and enjoy premium, locally roasted – and, above all, the freshest – coffee from professional baristas.
For 2021, the proudly Melbourne brand will again receive integrated Coffex branding in the Porsche hospitality area, on every vehicle, and communications across Porsche's websites and social media channels. Coffex also continues as the naming rights partner to an exclusive behind-the-scenes video series, dubbed the Coffex Backstage Pass.
The series will be shot by Porsche at each Carrera Cup event and give fans an insight into the Porsche life at every circuit, by showcasing profiles on leading teams, drivers and personnel as well as highlighting aspects of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship that set it apart from other categories in Australia.
Quotes:
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with Coffex Coffee Roasters into the 2021 season. The benefits Coffex provide at each event play a crucial role in the overall racing experience for our drivers, teams, sponsors and this is evident from the tremendous feedback we receive. The 2021 partnership is vital in allowing us to continue to enhance and innovate the on- and off-track experiences for our motorsport customers."
Coffex Coffee Roasters, Managing Director, Fong Loong: "We are once again, very proud to be the Official Coffee Supplier of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series. With the Coffex Backstage Pass, we would like to give audiences a glimpse into the role that Coffex Coffee Roasters plays behind the scenes at every race. The event is truly a highlight in the Australian events calendar for us and we look forward to supporting Porsche Cars Australia for many more years."
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
About Coffex Coffee Roasters:
Born in 1959, Coffex Coffee Roasters has a rich and diverse heritage in Melbourne. Our founding goal was to deliver premium, locally roasted and, above all, the freshest coffee to baristas and coffee lovers – and we have been doing so, ever since. Locally roasted in Brunswick, Victoria; Coffex Coffee Roasters is now one of the largest coffee roasters in the southern hemisphere. As part of its partnership with Porsche, Coffex's perennial crowd favorite and multiple award winner – Superbar blend is served in the Porsche Lounge at every Carrera Cup Australia event.
Coffex Coffee Roasters – https://www.coffex.com.au/
For more coffee information and videos, follow the Coffex Coffee Roasters social pages: Instagram – @CoffexCoffeeRoasters / Twitter – @CoffexCoffee / Facebook.com/CoffexCoffee
Coffex Backstage Pass
VIDEO: Episode 1 – Richard Crail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UysKeK7Ykk
VIDEO: Episode 2 – Michael Ritter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fx-UwwgJcE
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Sonic Motor Racing Services will enter a two-car attack on the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Two-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge attack for Sonic
Sonic Motor Racing Services will enter a two-car attack on the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Sonic Motor Racing Services will enter a two-car attack in the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, fielding entries in both the Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am classes.
Heading the charge in the Mobil Pro class is Courtney Prince. The 19-year-old female racer is fresh out of the competitive Formula Ford category where she finished eighth in the 2019 championship.
Prince, along with most other motorsport competitors, had a lean 2020 due to COVID-19, however, a strong testing and fitness regime over the enforced break means that she is not lacking any confidence ahead of her first season racing a Porsche.
The Melbourne-based driver will compete in the 911 GT3 Cup car that Aaron Love used to finish second in the 2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series.
Morris Finance Pro-Am racer, Graham Williams, continues in the team's second car in what will be his fifth-straight year with the Sonic team.
Williams is a long-time Porsche enthusiast and is looking to improve on his fifth place in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class from 2019.
The opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge will take place at the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with practice and qualifying to be held on Friday, Race 1 and 2 on Saturday ahead of the final race on Sunday.
All races will be seen live and free on the 7plus streaming app in Australia.
QUOTES
Courtney Prince, Driver, Sonic Motor Racing Services: "I am so excited to get into the car and go racing," said Prince.
"My goal is to do a good job, have good pace, and be fighting against the leading pack. I want to be consistently up the pointy end for the whole weekend.
"And being consistent is important, because at the end of the championship, I want to be in the top five.
"I really love Phillip Island. It's one of my favourite tracks and after a test day earlier this year, I I feel comfortable. I'm just super excited to get out there."
Graham Williams, Driver, Sonic Motor Racing Services: "This is now my fifth year with Sonic and it's exciting to get back on track, into racing and spending time with the Team," said Williams.
"It is be good to be able to get back into the seat again, and I look to working to improve on our efforts in 2019"
"Phillip Island is a spectacular place, and is great to have this as our first round."
Michael Ritter, Owner, Sonic Motor Racing Services: "We are looking forward to getting back into the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge this year," said Ritter.
"Courtney has been progressing really well over the past two seasons. Her momentum was great leading into 2020, but even in the enforced break, she remained active, we tested where we could and she is in a good space.
"It's always great to have Graham in the team. This is our fifth year working together, and he is always looking to make more gains with his own driving."
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Mobil to continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche one-make series
Mobil renews Naming Rights partnership of Porsche's Mobil Pro Category
Mobil to continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche one-make series
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that Mobil will continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series this season.
As the "Official Partner" of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Mobil also continue as naming rights to its premier class within both series and will be referred to the 'Mobil Pro Class' in all official communications, including Porsche press releases, websites and social media accounts.
The partnership with Mobil provides a range of benefits to both parties ensuring that all cars competing in both series will run on Mobil's Synergy Supreme+ 98 octane fuel product moving forward.
This enhances Porsche's long term partnership with Mobil 1 ensuring that both Mobil Synergy fuels and Mobil 1 lubricants will be delivered in all Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars in each series.
In addition to the naming rights, Mobil receives extensive branding on all Pro Class cars on the front windscreen together with the side mirrors, rear windscreen, side panels, inside drivers panels and in-car cameras. The Mobil logo will also be present on the podium backdrop and team garages for each Pro Car competing in the Carrera Cup championship this year.
Further to these benefits, a range of money can't buy experiences will be delivered throughout the year that will provide the chance for race fans and Mobil customers to enjoy the Porsche road cars at a range of exclusive events.
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "We are pleased to renew our partnership with a quality fuel supplier for both series and continue to have Mobil as the Naming Rights partner to our Pro class this season. Our premier one-make series provides Mobil a prime platform to showcase their product to our drivers, teams and customers, as well as amplify their product attributes to Porsche customers both on and off the racetrack. The partnership further enhances our existing long term partnership with Mobil1, our Official Lubricant Partner to both series."
Mobil Australia Retail Sales Manager, Charles Ewart: "Mobil is committed to supporting Australian drivers and the Porsche race series and is very proud to announce our partnership with premium car manufacture Porsche. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of our world renowned engine protecting Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology to Australians".
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
About Mobil Synergy Fuels:
At Mobil, it's all about the details and bringing quality fuels to every driver, all across Australia. That's why we're committed to getting performance enhancing additives that protect your engine from the very first fill, clean your engine and improve engine performance into every Mobil branded service station across Australia. You can trust that Mobil has your fuelling needs sorted with Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology. This is one more way our fuels work harder for you every day, and one more reason to refuel at Mobil. Because every drive matters.
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Morris Finance secures Naming Rights to Pro-Am Championships for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Morris Finance partners with Porsche Motorsport series in Australia
Morris Finance secures Naming Rights to Pro-Am Championships for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
National Commercial Finance and Leasing leaders Morris Finance have secured the naming rights to the hotly contested Pro-Am Championships across both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
As part of the agreement, Morris Finance will gain significant visibility with both Australia's premier one-make series, with extensive branding across Pro-Am Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars competing in both series. They will also feature across both podium and media backdrops at every event, as well as Pro-Am team garages and various event related branding around the Carrera Cup Australia drivers lounge and pit garages.
Morris Finance will also offer a range of finance solutions to Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series customers delivering financial solutions for a range of their needs, including race cars, transporters, equipment and more.
The deal follows Morris Finance's continued commitment to its long-term relationship with Walkinshaw Andretti United in Supercars, Motorsport Australia, The Bend Motorsport Park, and their community program which involves drivers Nick Percat and Jaxon Evans.
Porsche Cars Australia will also provide several bespoke experiences for Morris Finance VIP customers at premier Carrera Cup Australia events throughout the year.
To support these VIP Customer experiences, Morris Finance will run a promotion that provides the opportunity for customers to win an ultimate giveaway to the final Carrera Cup Australia round on the Gold Coast.
This increased partnership builds upon the support Morris Finance has given to both categories to date – having previously supported the Sports Person of the Year Award – as well as their long term support of 2018 Carrera Cup Champion, Jaxon Evans, who continues to forge his international motorsport career abroad.
The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series will get underway at Sandown International Raceway in mid-March, with the series concluding alongside Supercars on the streets of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in early December.
Quotes:
PCA's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Morris Finance, which delivers value to them across numerous key partnership pillars including branding; digital and social media; events; promotions; hospitality; experiences and business development. Morris Finance has been a strong supporter of both series, either in a category level or driver perspective, and it's great to have them on board as our naming rights partner of the Pro-Am Championships of both categories.
Morris Finance Marketing Manager, Tiffany Hunt: "As a proud Australian business operating on a national level, we take great pride in partnering with such a strong global brand and are delighted to be partnering with Porsche Motorsport Australia as the Official Finance Partner. With this alliance, we are looking forward to creating unmatched experiences for our national broker, client, investor and referrer markets".
About Morris Finance:
Based in Geelong, Victoria, Morris Finance is Australian owned and one of Australia's leading finance companies, providing asset finance, investment, leasing and insurance services to ABN Holders; Registered Companies; Individuals and Sole Traders.
For more Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia news and content follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Porsche Motorsport Australia racing series to be integrated into Porsche sustainability initiative
Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to join C0₂ offset program, Porsche Impact
Porsche Motorsport Australia racing series to be integrated into Porsche sustainability initiative
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that it will integrate both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia (PCCA) and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia (PSCA) series into the newly launched Porsche Impact Program in Australia. Porsche Impact Program is a C0₂ compensation scheme offering Porsche customers the option to calculate and offset their personal carbon footprint.
PCA commits to compensating the C0₂ footprint of the 911 GT3 Cup cars racing in PCCA and PSCA in the 2021 Season. The financial contribution is based on an estimated annual mileage and consumption during the scheduled Rounds. The monetary compensation will be calculated by using an emission calculator and directed to financially support two selected Australian environmental projects in partnership with South Pole after the 2021 season concludes.
The two certified offset initiatives, also offered to Porsche Customers as a part of the scheme are:
Mount Sandy:
The first project is Mount Sandy, located between the Coorong National Park and Lake Albert in South Australia. It is a pocket of intact native vegetation in a region dominated by farmlands, Mount Sandy brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to promote land conservation methods that have been used by the Traditional owners of the land, the Ngarrindjeri people, for thousands of years. The 200 hectare site ensures permanent protection for all biodiversity, which is a unique mix of coastal shrublands and saline swamplands. The site provides habitat for iconic native wildlife, such as the short-beaked echidna, purple-gaped honeyeater and elegant parrot.
Myanmyn:
The second local initiative is the Myamyn project at Annya State Forest, located in south-western Victoria. The habitat is home to numerous vulnerable and endangered plant and animal species. The Myamyn project works to protect and rehabilitate the site after clearing and the introduction of an invasive eucalyptus species occurred in 1997. So far 20 hectares of cleared land have been rehabilitated with a total of 200 hectares protected against further clearing.
About Porsche Impact:
Porsche Cars Australia is participating in the Porsche Impact program, which was developed by Porsche AG in association with its subsidiary Porsche Digital. The estimated 2020 CO2 emissions of the Porsche Cars Australia fleet of cars have been offset using Porsche Impact. This includes company cars, press cars and vehicles dedicated to the Porsche Track Experience program.
The sports car manufacturer is committed to reducing CO2 emissions. In doing so, Porsche considers the entire value creation chain: from suppliers, to the product, to after sales and recycling. Today, Porsche AG uses 100% green energy for production and rail logistics. In Australia, Porsche also prioritises other sustainability measures like solar power and tyre recycling.
Quotes:
Sam Curtis, CEO & Managing Director, Porsche Cars Australia: "Sustainability is an essential pillar of our corporate strategy at Porsche. The global approach to sustainability at Porsche is holistic, working in all fields of action: ecological, economic and social."
For more information about Porsche Impact visit: https://www.porsche.com/australia/aboutporsche/responsibility/porscheimpact/
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News
Monaco Grand Prix to host debut of the new 992 generation 911 GT3 Cup
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup to be shown live on FOX Sports in Australia
Monaco Grand Prix to host debut of the new 992 generation 911 GT3 Cup
The 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season will play host to drivers from eleven teams and herald the racing debut of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation). All eight rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Championship will again be broadcast live in Australia on FOX Sports with replays throughout the season.
The premier one-make Championship will be part of the Monaco Grand Prix programme (20 to 23 May) in 2021 with a driver line-up that includes defending champion Larry ten Voorde from the Netherlands and Porsche Junior, Ayhancan Güven from Turkey.
"Despite the ongoing difficulties for international motor racing due to the coronavirus pandemic, we've managed to put together an extremely attractive package for the 2021 season," explains Oliver Schwab, Project Manager Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
"The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has attracted even more interest from teams. The permanent grid positions that are available are overbooked. I expect up to 32 competitors at all races except Monaco."
Up to four additional competitors are permitted to contest the remaining seven Cup rounds. The new entries among the permanently registered teams are Parker Racing from Great Britain and Huber Racing from Germany. Both teams ran the overall winners in their respective national Porsche Carrera Cups last season. Lechner Racing from Austria returns to defend its title in the team classification of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Lechner Racing has also entered a second, officially independent squad. GP Elite from the Netherlands and Alméras from France also compete with two separate teams. The other permanent participants are Fach Auto Tech from Switzerland, CLRT from France and Dinamic Motorsport from Italy.
After the 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season gets underway in Monaco, the Championship then travels to seven other race circuits in France, Austria, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy to round off the calendar.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation) features a 375 kW (510 hp) flat-six engine that is designed to run on synthetic fuel and will be campaigned in Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series in 2022.
2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup calendar*
Rnd Event Date
1 Monaco 20-23 May
2 Le Castellet (France) 25-27 June
3 Spielberg (Austria) 2-4 July
4 Silverstone (England) 16-18 July
5 Budapest (Hungary) 30 July-1 August
6 Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 27-29 August
7 Zandvoort (Netherlands) 3-5 September
8 Monza (Italy) 10-12 September
*subject to changes
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News
Phillip Island season opener to take place on 12-14 March
Motorsport Australia announces revised date for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season opener
Phillip Island season opener to take place on 12-14 March
Motorsport Australia has confirmed a replacement date for the opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships. The event will now be held on 12-14 March.
In addition to Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Australian Racing Group categories will again be on show at the event, including the VHT S5000 Australian Drivers Championship, Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, National Trans Am Series and the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS.
Further categories may also be part of the event, with category managers in discussion with Motorsport Australia to compete at the iconic Victorian circuit.
With the Victorian COVID-19 lockdown forcing a postponement of February's 2+4 Australian All Wheels Race Fest, Motorsport Australia has worked with the circuit and category managers to secure a new date.
Unfortunately, Australian Superbike Championship and its support categories were unable to join the event on this occasion, given a number of scheduling conflicts. However, discussions between Motorsport Australia and Motorcycling Australia are already underway about rescheduling the All Wheels Race Fest for later in the year.
At this stage, Motorsport Australia is unable to confirm any spectator details, however it is hoped that some spectators may be able to attend, in line with any government restrictions that apply at the time.
The event will also be broadcast across the screens of 7, including on 7mate and 7plus. New Zealand viewers will be able to watch via Sky Sports, while other international viewers can watch online via the Motorsport.TV stream.
The opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships will be held at Phillip Island on 12-14 March, 2021.
Michael Smith, Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships Director said: "We're really pleased to confirm this new date for the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and also to be able to secure a new date so quickly."
"I'd like to thank the team at Phillip Island for their flexibility and support, allowing us to put this event on in March. Motorsport Australia is in regular dialogue with the Victorian Government about this event and will certainly work to deliver a COVID safe event in line with all restrictions and requirements that may be in place at the time.
"We hope that we will be able to welcome fans to this event, however understandably there is still some uncertainty about what restrictions may be in place, so at this stage we are not offering tickets for sale. This is something we'll monitor closely and provide regular updates for motorsport fans.
"I'd also like to acknowledge the team at Motorcycling Australia for their hard work in preparing for the 2+4 Australian All Wheels Race Fest. While we are unable to make the joint-event work for this specific date, we've formed a great partnership over recent months and fully expect this combined event to happen in the very near future."
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News
Amadio Wines named as Official Wine & Champagne Partner for both Porsche one-make series in Australia
Amadio Wines renews partnership with Porsche Cars Australia for 2021 motorsport season
Amadio Wines named as Official Wine & Champagne Partner for both Porsche one-make series in Australia
Porsche Cars Australia have announced that Amadio Wines have renewed their support of Australia's premier one-make motorsport series. The South Australian winemaker will again be the Official Wine and Champagne Partner of both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
Amadio's premium wine and champagnes will again be used for all Carrera Cup Australia and Sprint Challenge podium celebrations throughout the 2021 season, with each Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car displaying Amadio Wines branding on the rear wing end plates and sill on every Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge entry.
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: "Without our long standing partners we could not provide the level of support to our drivers and teams that we do. We're thrilled to continue our relationship with Amadio Wines for the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge seasons. Both series provide a great activation platform for all our partners and reinforce Porsche's association with these premium brands."
On the renewal of the partnership, Amadio Wines Managing Director Danniel Amadio said, "We are delighted to continue supporting this high calibre class of motor racing. It is a testament to all the competing teams and the organisation behind Porsche Motorsport in Australia for their continued efforts in producing some of the best young talents this country has to offer. This is evident not just on a national stage, but the results of their drivers on the international stage."
Round 1 of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 18-20 February, while Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season is due to start on the 19-21 March at the Sandown International Raceway, as the premier support category for Repco Supercars Championship.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
About Amadio Wines:
Amadio Wines represents Danniel Amadio's contribution as the third generation to his family's successful winemaking legacy. Stemming from his grandfather's success in the early 30's and his parents success in the 90's, whose label rose to be acclaimed 'most awarded boutique label in Australia', Danniel is now continuing the family legacy. The Amadio family pride themselves on their Italian heritage, which has aided them in sourcing the best quality food from around Australia and creating a top branding wine as Danniel personally selects the best fruit parcels from his family owned Kersbrook Vineyards in the Adelaide Hills.
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News
French tyre giant renews its support of both Porsche Sprint Challenge and 2021 Junior Development Programme
Michelin and Porsche announce massive prize pool for 2021 Junior Development Programme
French tyre giant renews its support of both Porsche Sprint Challenge and 2021 Junior Development Programme
The continued support and development of the best young drivers from around the Australasian region has been a key priority for both Michelin Australia and Porsche Cars Australia for several years now. The domestic collaboration has seen the initiative grow into benchmark driver development programme in the country and remain a vital feature of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
For the 2021 season, the French tyre giant has announced that it will again support the Porsche Junior Development Programme offering eligible young drivers from the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series mentorship, support and training from the country's leading sports professionals and coaches, as well as the opportunity to win their share of the $300,000 prize pool on offer.
The prize pool sees the top three Junior drivers from each series, receive a set of Michelin competition tyres every round, while the top placed Junior driver at each event will also receive a complimentary entry for the round.
The Michelin Junior Champion, crowned at the end of the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season, will receive a trip to Germany to attend the Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions Dinner in December 2021.
The other main incentive for the Michelin Junior drivers in the premier one-make series is an opportunity to attend the global Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout, which
continues to play a crucial role in the development of the best emerging talent from the region and is seen as the most proven pathway for talented drivers to progress to the highest level abroad.
The 2019 Michelin Junior champion, Jordan Love, won the overall Carrera Cup Australia Championship and went onto to win the Porsche Junior Shootout nomination to compete against Carrera Cup Champions from the leading one-make Porsche championships around the world in three-day, all expenses paid driving evaluation at the Portimao circuit.
Last year Love joined the 2018 Carrera Cup Australia Champion and Porsche Junior driver, Jaxon Evans, on the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup grid, the premier support race for FIA Formula One World Championship.
Other drivers that have progressed up the Porsche Motorsport pyramid in recent years via the Australian Junior Programme, include the likes of Matt Campbell, Nick Foster, Andre Heimgartner and Dylan O'Keeffe, who have all gone on to succeed at the highest levels of the sport both locally and internationally.
In a new incentive for 2021, the Australian nominee to attend the global junior shootout will receive an exclusive test drive in the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car ahead of its introduction in 2022. The global Porsche Junior Shootout will be utilising the new 992 Cup Car for the first time this year and this prize provides the best opportunity for the Australian Junior nomination to perfect their skills before they head overseas.
On the partnership announcement, Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy said, "It's fantastic to have our long term partner in Michelin to come on board once again and provide the crucial support needed for young talented athletes within this country. Both Michelin and Porsche are aligned in our passion for developing young athletes both on and off the track, which we have had great success in the past, and we are looking forward to continuing this support for the next batch of talented athletes coming through.
Michelin Australia's Marketing Manager Oceania, Swaroop Tulsidas, is excited to continue the French brand's support of the region's young racers, "Michelin Australia are committed to supporting local talent through the Michelin Junior Programme. It's been a difficult year for the drivers and teams alike, not being able to compete as normal in 2020. Fortunately, there is plenty to look forward to in the season ahead with some fantastic events on the race calendar."
"The global partnership we have with Porsche comes to life locally when juniors from Australia and New Zealand progress in the Porsche Pyramid and make it to the top. We look forward to seeing the development and progression of our juniors in 2021."
To be eligible as a Michelin Junior in 2021, both Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup, drivers must be born between 30.11.1997 and 01.03.2004. All Michelin Juniors in each series must carry additional Michelin branding on their racing apparel and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
To learn more about the professional coaching provided by leading experts in the Michelin
Junior Training days, watch the following videos:
Porsche Michelin Junior Training Day 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXWEjT_ewM
Porsche Michelin Junior Training Days 2019: https://youtu.be/cquPduF6iqw
For more information on the 2021 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia email motorsport@porsche.com.au
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News
Madeline Stewart has revealed her racing livery for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Madeline Stewart unveils Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge livery
Madeline Stewart has revealed her racing livery for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Madeline Stewart has revealed her Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racing livery for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series. The young New Zealand driver is based on the Gold Coast and is part of Team Porsche New Zealand run by Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM). The striking team livery is predominantly black and red with a white fern down the side of the car.
Madeline will again partner with Boss Air Suspension for her 2021 campaign. The global aftermarket air suspension manufacturer originally came on board for, what turned out to be, a very disrupted 2020 season, which saw Madeline finish third in the first round of Super 3 series at Sydney Motorsport Park, before taking victory in the Townsville Tin Top event.
She then went on to complete the year in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car finishing fourth at The Bend Motorsport Park Tin Top races. Boss Air Suspension is joined by Stewart's other partners, Fitstop and Melbourne based VT Advisory.
Madeline Stewart said, "I am very excited to be racing in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge this year. I am looking forward to having a great year with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport."
"To have a fern on the side of my car and to be representing New Zealand is amazing. I cannot thank everyone who has helped make this happen enough."
The livery reveal of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car comes as Madeline is set to have her first outing in the car at Phillip Island, as a shakedown before the opening round of the series in the coming weeks.
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News
Suhle, Pancione, Hall, Hovey and Cowen complete McElrea Racing driver line-up
McElrea Racing announce full strength Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge assault
Suhle, Pancione, Hall, Hovey and Cowen complete McElrea Racing driver line-up
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series will play host to five McElrea Racing drivers for the 2021 season. After finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the 2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione will be strong favourites for the 2021 Mobil Pro title.
Pancione will also race select rounds of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series as he affirms his intentions to ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
Highly-rated, young GT racer, Bayley Hall, announced his plans to join the Queensland squad late last year, while Michael Hovey and Richard Cowen will be chasing victories in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Pro-Am category.
Suhle, Pancione and Hall will all be looking to follow in the footsteps of former McElrea Racing graduates, Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans, who progressed up from Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to the premier Carrera Cup class. The pair went onto win both the Carrera Cup Championship (2016 – Matt Campbell and 2018 Jaxon Evans) as well as the Porsche Junior Shootout. Both McElrea Drivers have since gone onto forge top-level international careers with Porsche and its customer GT teams.
2021 McElrea Racing Driver line-up – Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
#7 Ryan Suhle Latitude Coffee
#28 Bayley Hall TBC
#72 Michael Hovey The Triffid
#76 Christian Pancione VCM Performance
#2 Richard Cowen (partial championship)
Quotes:
Team Owner, Andy McElrea: "We are really looking forward to the 2021 Carrera Cup & Sprint Challenge championships. For the first time in our 13 year history that we have the perfect number of customers for our business model, that is four cars in each championship, with businessman Richard Cowen also doing a partial Sprint Challenge Championship and (Christian) Pancho doing some selected rounds of the Carrera Cup Australia series in preparation for 2021. We all realise that we will need to be flexible with plans and logistics for 2021, as some disruptions are inevitable, but we love a challenge and are always prepared to adapt on the run. We started testing with our Sprint Challenge drivers already, while our first Carrera Cup test takes place in February."
Christian Pancione: "Racing both Porsche series this year is a great opportunity, with a team like McElrea Racing I'm looking for wins and podiums."
Ryan Suhle: "Testing has started really well this year, so I'm really focused on winning my first Porsche championship this season."
Bayley Hall: "2021 will be the perfect year for me to aim high, learn, experience and grow from every opportunity that arises."
Michael Hovey: "I'm here to have fun and win the Pro-Am title this year!"
Richard Cowen: "Prospects of winning Pro Am at first attempt – on the low side. Prospects of marital issues due to racing time and expenditure – Medium to high. Prospects of having a lot of fun racing in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge – 100%."
McElrea Racing Achievements:
McElrea are the only Australian team to have won races in every season of Australian Carrera Cup (incl 2020) since it re-started in 2011. They are also able to claim to have been on pole for the first race of each new generation car: 997:2 (Jonny Reid at 2011 AGP), 991:1 (Shae Davies at 2014 Adelaide) and 991:2 (Jaxon Evans at 2018 Adelaide).
Porsche titles captured by the team include: the Carrera Cup Pro class on two occasions; Carrera Cup Pro Am title, Sprint Challenge Pro class title, Sprint Challenge Pro Am (twice), Rennsport Pro Am Enduro (twice), and the coveted Porsche Teams Championship three times.
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News
Ashley Seward Motorsport confirms McGregor, Goldie and Knowles for Pro-Am
ASM announces three car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge campaign
Ashley Seward Motorsport confirms McGregor, Goldie and Knowles for Pro-Am
Ashley Seward Motorsport has announced three drivers in the line-up for this year's Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season, which kicks off at Phillip Island on 18-20 February.
The experienced Ross McGregor will contest his eighth season in the series. McGregor has been a consistent performer during his Porsche racing tenure and has been a regular appearance on the Pro-Am podium over the last few seasons.
"I'm just looking forward to getting back onto the track and having some fun," McGregor said.
"For me, it's all about maximum enjoyment and continuing to learn and improve. The Sprint Challenge has a great group of competitors, who are all sensible and show respect for one another on the track."
"Geoff Emery will be on board as my driver coach again this year, which is a big positive – Geoff really knows how to encourage me and can bring out the best in my driving."
"Ash (Seward) provides a quality service to his customers, he understands how to put together a racing program that is both economical and enjoyable."
After finishing runner-up in Class B aboard a 997 Cup car in 2019, West Australian driver Andrew Goldie upgraded to a 991 Gen 1 in 2020. While the pandemic limited his opportunities to go racing, he still competed at Challenge Bathurst before racing in the Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup at Sandown in December, where he achieved a clean sweep of race wins in the Pro-Am class.
"The new car is beautiful to drive, very smooth and refined," Goldie said.
"Don't get me wrong, I liked my old 997, but the 991 Gen 1 just does everything that little bit better."
"The paddle-shift gearbox makes the whole experience much more relaxed and I noticed the extra horsepower as well.
"After one of the Challenge Bathurst sessions, I got out of the car and told Ash it was the most fun I had ever had in a race car. To score a clean sweep at Sandown was fantastic, but I had to work hard for it – there is some high-quality opposition and the Pro-Am class will be very competitive this season."
Joining McGregor and Goldie will be Terry Knowles, who will make his competitive circuit racing debut after completing some track days with the ASM team.
"When I first drove the Porsche, I was like a deer in headlights – it was surreal," Knowles said.
"I had to learn the paddle shift system and acquaint myself with a left-hand-drive car, but Ross, Andrew and everyone else in the team have been very encouraging."
"For my first year, the goal is to learn as much as possible finish all the races, challenge myself and above all, have fun."
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News
McElrea Racing have announced that Bayley Hall will join the team for 2021
Bayley Hall joins McElrea Racing for 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season
McElrea Racing have announced that Bayley Hall will join the team for 2021
McElrea Racing have announced that Bayley Hall will join the team for 2021
McElrea Racing has announced that Bayley Hall, will join the Championship-winning Carrera Cup team for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season.
As a Grade 12 student at Coomera Anglican College in Queensland, the talented GT racer sees 2021 as an opportunity to get acquainted with the first generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, before he starts his ascent up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
"I'm very excited for this new chapter in my racing career. It's all a bit surreal, but it's a dream come true to announce that I will be with the McElrea team in a Porsche next year," Hall said.
Hall has already amassed a large amount of experience despite his young age, having competed a number of different racing series and cars. His natural speed and adaptability was apparent from early in his career, having finished second overall in both the 2019 Gold Coast round of the Australia GT Championship and the 2020 Bathurst combined sedans series. Hall also became the youngest ever podium finisher at the Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year, finishing third in class in a Marc Cars Mustang V8.
Andy McElrea said, "We've been watching Bayley's progress for a couple of years and for such a young guy, he already has vast mileage and experience in a variety of cars. A year ago we chatted about a potential future with MR and having a shot at the Porsche Pyramid, following in the footsteps of Matt and Jaxon in Europe. We did an evaluation test with him a couple of weeks ago and we were very impressed with his first run in a cup car, needless to say, he has a very exciting few years ahead of him!"
Hall partnered with McElrea Racing's Warren Luff for the Bathurst event, "I'm excited that Luffy will be one of my mentors at McElrea as he has known me since I was a toddler playing Mario kart. We get on very well and it was a huge experience to drive with him at one of the biggest races in Australia earlier this year."
Hall will also be part of the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme in 2021, which in the past has seen drivers like Nick Foster, Dylan O'Keeffe, Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Jordan Love and Matt Campbell go onto to compete at the highest level of the sport both locally and internationally.
Campbell and Evans both started their Porsche careers with McElrea Racing in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge (formerly known as GT3 Cup Challenge) before going onto win the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup titles in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
On the prospect of joining Australia's benchmark junior development programme Hall said, "I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can in the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme and my goal is to ultimately win the Sprint Challenge series, before I make the step into the main game in Carrera Cup."
"The opportunity to drive the GT3 Cup car in the test session for around 100 laps was incredible. Working with the likes of race engineer, Leigh Geyer and the rest of the McElrea team was also an amazing opportunity," Hall enthused.
"After seeing the success the team have had in the past with the likes of Matt and Jaxon, I'm really looking forward to stepping up to the Porsche one-make series next year, as the cars are identical and the national competition is at the highest level," Hall concluded.
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in February.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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News
Matthew Payne, Madeline Stewart and Callum Hedge line-up for Team Porsche New Zealand in 2021
Team Porsche New Zealand announces scholarship and 2021 Michelin Sprint Challenge driver line-up
Matthew Payne, Madeline Stewart and Callum Hedge line-up for Team Porsche New Zealand in 2021
Team EBM (Earl Bamber Motorsport) run by both Earl and Will Bamber, have announced that they will enter a 485-hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car for young New Zealand karting champion, Matthew Payne, in the 2021 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia series under the 'Team Porsche New Zealand' banner – supported by the Official Porsche Centers of New Zealand.
The partnership is a continuation of the team formed to enter the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship with Will Bamber securing four race victories and third overall in the Championship.
Team Porsche New Zealand will provide an opportunity to offer a scholarship for a young New Zealand talent to drive in Carrera Cup Australia. The oversight of Earl and Will Bamber will provide invaluable experience having success from Carrera Cup series, right to the top of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
"We are really excited about the Team Porsche NZ Scholarship. It is something we're proud to offer and it gives a solid platform for young Kiwi drivers to aspire to from karts and other national championships. It's about providing a path-way to a professional motorsports career" – Earl Bamber.
"2021 will be the first time Team Porsche New Zealand enter the series with their own Scholarship Programme, which is a further testament to the growing awareness and competitive standing our series is receiving across the region." – Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport Porsche Cars Australia
Matthew Payne
Matthew Payne, who hails from Auckland has extensive experience in karting after starting at age 5. In 2019 he won the KZ2 National Championship before relocating to base himself in Italy and race in a number of European series against the very best KZ kart drivers in the world. Payne has aspired to make the transition from karts to touring cars with the long-term goal of endurance racing as a factory driver for Porsche.
"To be the driver selected by Porsche New Zealand for their scholarship at this age is something very special, it will be awesome to be mentored by such an accomplished driver and team and I will take this opportunity with both hands and make them proud.
I've always wanted to race Porsche cars and race the Australian Championship. It's a real privilege. It's a step toward my ultimate goal of racing GT Endurance cars at famous tracks like Le Mans, Daytona, Bathurst. Nurburgring and many more." – Matthew Payne
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia to visit New Zealand
The Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Series will visit New Zealand for the first time. The round will run alongside the Repco Supercars Championship in early November.
"To race in New Zealand for the first time in our series history will be a huge highlight for all Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia drivers next year. I would like to again thank Porsche New Zealand for partnering with us to make this exciting opportunity a reality for our teams." – Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport Porsche Cars Australia
2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
In addition to the scholarship offered in the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia series, Team Porsche New Zealand will also support Madeline Stewart and Callum Hedge. Stewart and Hedge will be competing in the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in Australia with Earl Bamber Motorsport and under the Team Porsche New Zealand banner. As Sprint Challenge drivers as part of the team, both will be eligible to apply for the Carrera Cup scholarship in 2022.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity to race with EBM in 2021. The Porsche pathway is really promising and provides a lot of opportunities for myself to progress with my racing experience and my career.
I'm looking forward to building up a good level of skill racing these cars and I'm lucky enough to have Earl Bamber's help with driver coaching. I know I will gain a lot from listening to his expertise and knowledge.
I am a proud Kiwi so to have Porsche New Zealand's support is an honor. I am really grateful to be representing their brand and proud to have them onboard for next year." – Madeline Stewart
"It's really cool to finally get some direction on where we are headed after almost a year of uncertainty with COVID. I am very excited to be running with the Team Porsche New Zealand/Earl Bamber Motorsport team in Sprint Challenge Australia. It is a privilege to be running under their colours and be chosen for this opportunity to represent Porsche New Zealand and EBM." – Callum Hedge
Applications for the 2022 Team Porsche New Zealand Scholarship will be taken in the 4th Quarter of 2021. The criteria and application process will be announced by the EBM Team nearer to this time.
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News
Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) will enter a multi-car team in 2021
Earl Bamber Motorsport and Porsche New Zealand to enter Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in 2021
Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) will enter a multi-car team in 2021
Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) will enter a multi-car team in both the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia (PCCA) and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series in 2021.
The EBM team will receive support from Porsche New Zealand and will operate out of a new base on the Gold Coast. Run by the former Porsche Le Mans 24-Hour winner and his brother Will, EBM are looking to growing the team operations outside of Asia and are looking forward to the challenge of entering a new, highly competitive market.
On the announcement, Earl Bamber said, "With Covid-19 we were forced to look at other options in motorsport, and we feel Carrera Cup Australia will be a great fit for our team."
"We are really excited to be joining the Carrera Cup Australia grid in 2021. Porsche Cars Australia do a fantastic job at promoting the series and provide a solid platform for us to grow as a team across the globe."
Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy said, "Earl Bamber Motorsport are no strangers to racing in Australia, having won the Bathurst 12-hour in 2019 with our very own Matt Campbell, as well as competing in the joint round between Carrera Cup Australia and Asia in 2018."
"We're excited to welcome EBM into both Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Sprint Challenge for next year, along with the support of Porsche New Zealand, as 2021 is already shaping up to be one of our most competitive fields to date with strong grids across all classes."
About EBM:
No strangers to success, EBM previously won the Australian Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-hour title in 2019, capturing Porsche's first victory in the endurance classic on Mountain Panorama. Prior to 2020, the EBM team competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Series, finishing third in the driver standings, collecting four victories and eight podiums along the way in 2019. The team have already contested joint rounds against Porsche Carrera Cup Australia drivers in previous years, which most recently saw Will Bamber place third in the invitational race in 2019.
With a well-established presence in the Australasian motorsport market, EBM also recently announced their expansion into the North American market. EBM's joint venture with Team Hardpoint will see the team compete for the GTD title in the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Bathurst International headlines 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar
Porsche unveils 2021 Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar
Bathurst International headlines 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar
The majestic Mount Panorama Circuit will host the final round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Calendar at the Bathurst International, NSW.
The six-round series, which caters for the previous generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, will again feature as one of the headline acts on the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships program for 2021.
After the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the 2020 series could not take place due to the travel restrictions for many of the series' competitors, the 2021 schedule sees the series start in February at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria. Competitors then travel to Sydney Motorsport Park in NSW in early May for round 2 before heading to Morgan Park in QLD for round 3 in late June.
Teams then return to the historic, Sandown International Raceway in Victoria in September before venturing further south to The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend, South Australia for the penultimate round of the series in mid-October.
The final round will be held at the Bathurst International, and the series will again include endurance races as part of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, with all six rounds featuring a longer endurance-style race for maximum track time.
As a feeder category for Australia's premier one-make championship, Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge forms the first domestic step for many young, talented racing drivers wishing to climb the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid with the successful Porsche Michelin Junior Program.
The series' Pro-am class – last won by The Bend Motorsport Park owner Sam Shahin in 2019 – is equally popular with Porsche enthusiasts, playing host to some of the best on-track racing at Shannon's rounds each year.
Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy said, "We are really looking forward to having the championship back up and running again next year and we feel we have delivered a calendar that all competitors will enjoy, allowing them to race on some of the best tracks across the country ."
"Finishing the season at the Bathurst International will be a real highlight and will provide great coverage and exposure for all our teams, drivers and partners" Bundy concluded.
2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar
| Round | Event | State | Date | Sprint Race | Endurance Race |
| 1 | Phillip Island | VIC | February TBC | 2 x 20 min Races | 1 x 45 min Race |
| 2 | Sydney Motorsport Park | NSW | 1-2 May | 2 x 20 min Races | 1 x 45 min Race |
| 3 | Morgan Park | QLD | 25-27 June | 2 x 20 min Races | 1 x 45 min Race |
| 4 | Sandown | VIC | 10-12 September | 2 x 20 min Races | 1 x 45 min Race |
| 5 | Tailem Bend | SA | 15 -17 October | 2 x 20 min Races | 1 x 45 min Race |
| 6 | Bathurst Int. | NSW | TBC | TBC | TBC |
*Please Note: dates and schedules are subject to change
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Carrera Cup and Porsche Sprint Challenge competitors end 2020 on a high note
Porsche to headline Shannons Motorsport Australia Festival at Sandown
Carrera Cup and Porsche Sprint Challenge competitors end 2020 on a high note
While national border closures and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant the 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge seasons could not be conducted as scheduled this year, Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce a one-off non-championship race weekend to be held on 11-13 December at the Sandown International Raceway in Victoria.
The Porsche PAYCE & MICHELIN Cup races will headline the Shannons Motorsport Australia Festival, which is being supported by the MG Car Club of Victoria. The combined event will see two generations of Porsche 991 Cup Cars, being the Gen I and Gen II, going head-to-head for the first time in a dedicated Porsche event.
The Porsche PAYCE & MICHELIN Cup will have a total of 4 classes in which competitors will compete for Mobil Pro and Pro-Am trophies, for each generation of Cup Car, with 2 x 25 minute races be conducted on the Saturday as well as a longer 40 min endurance race on the Sunday.
Due to maximum grid capacity for the event, first priority for entries will be given to 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge teams and drivers with eligible Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991 Gen I and Gen II cars. All additional entry requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
PCA is currently working with the Porsche Club of Victoria with the intent of including super sprints over the weekend. The 944 Challenge racing series will also be in action.
On the announcement of Porsche's involvement in the event, Toni Andreevski, Porsche Cars Australia's Director of Marketing and Motorsport said, "As we approach the 70 year anniversary of Porsche Cars in Australia, we felt this was a great way to kick-off our celebrations of this milestone with both Porsche enthusiasts and our motorsport customers."
While it is hoped some fans may be able to attend the Shannons Motorsport Australia Festival, any decision will be made closer to the event in line with any government restrictions.
For more race information, videos and interviews follow the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Madeline Stewart will contest the Aussie Tin Tops Support category in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car
Madeline Stewart to drive McElrea Racing Porsche at The Bend
Madeline Stewart will contest the Aussie Tin Tops Support category in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car
Madeline Stewart will get behind the wheel of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car this weekend in the Aussie Tin Tops category, one of the support races for The Repco SuperSprint at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Stewart graduated from karting to Super3 Series with Brad Jones Racing in 2019 and had similar intentions for this season, "We had been planning to race a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in Asia with Earl Bamber Motorsport, alongside our Super3 campaign with BJR this year, but obviously, the global pandemic meant we weren't able to do that."
Although the 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge seasons were also halted as a result the Coronavirus pandemic, Porsche Cars Australia has in the interim, permitted drivers and teams to compete in localised state-level racing until the Porsche series resumes.
With the support of Motorsportsales.com.au, the Tin Tops Support category at the NTI Townsville SuperSprint round included GT3 cars, Porsche Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge 911 GT3 Cup cars, Super3, TA2, MARC Cars, Toyota 86 Series and other assorted touring cars.
Reigning 2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Champion, Harri Jones, took the round one victory ahead of Tony Quinn in a GT3-spec Aston Martin. Bathurst winner, Luke Youlden and Jones' McElrea Racing teammate, Ryan Suhle, fought it out for the last step of the podium, making it three Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in the top four overall results.
It was at the inaugural Tin Tops event in Townsville that Stewart saw the opportunity with McElrea Racing, "We were still keen to do some Porsche racing this year and after racing at Townsville in the Tin Tops we thought that if that class raced again it might be a good opportunity to give the Porsche a try."
"There has been a lot of negatives from the pandemic but the Tin Tops has been a good positive, allowing people who essentially had nowhere to race to get some racing in. We saw McElrea Racing at Townsville and when the Tin Tops were announced for The Bend we approached them to see if they had any cars available and luckily they did" Stewart said.
McElrea Racing's Andy McElrea said, "We are looking forward to welcoming Madeline to the team and very confident she will do a great job. We hope she has so much fun, that she wants to drive Porsches more in the future!"
While The Bend event will be the second time Stewart has driven a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car – her first was with Earl Bamber Motorsport at Sepang in February this year – she won't have any time to test with the McElrea team before rolling out for practice one on the race weekend.
Stewart said, "The Porsche is quite different to drive to the Super3 car. One of the big differences is how much more traction it has off the corners. The throttle application in a Supercar is quite tricky because you have to progress it as fast as possible without it breaking into wheel spin. The Supercars have power and not a very big tyre."
"The Porsche, by comparison, is rear-engined with a much better tyre and less power. You need to be a lot more aggressive on the throttle, carry more mid-corner speed and you can, of course, brake deeper."
"At this stage, The Bend is a one-off for us and it's hard to know what racing there will be for the rest of the year and what next year will look like. We will just be looking at any opportunity to get some racing in," Stewart concluded.
As part of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship doubleheader, fans can expect two jam-packed weekends of racing at the Repco SuperSprint, with various ticket options available from the gate or The Bend Motorsport Park website.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
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Bathurst International to host Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge finale
Revised 2020 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar revealed
Bathurst International to host Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge finale
Porsche Cars Australia is pleased to announce its revised calendar for the Michelin Sprint Challenge series following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – which delayed the start of 2020 season earlier this year.
The number of rounds will reduce from six rounds to five for the remainder of the year and retain their position as a feature support race of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship calendar.
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar gets underway at the Sydney Motorsport Park on the 15-16 August, before heading south to the Sandown Raceway in Victoria a month later for round two.
The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia will then host the third round of the series in mid-October before the teams travel to the flowing, high-speed curves of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for round four. The season culminates at the Bathurst International event on 14-15 November.
On the announcement, Head of Motorsport at Porsche Cars Australia, Troy Bundy said, "We are pleased to reveal our revised Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge calendar for 2020 and would like to take the opportunity to thank Motorsport Australia and the Australian Racing Group for the support they have given us in developing what we feel is a great line-up of events for the remainder of this season."
"We are looking forward to returning to the track and continuing to provide an excellent show for our fans, customers, teams and partners and we would like to thank them for their patience and support during this time."
Further details regarding race formats for each round as well as the revised 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia calendar will be announced in the coming weeks.
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge: 2020 Revised Calendar
Sydney Motorsport Park – August 15 -16
Sandown Raceway – September 12-13
The Bend Motorsport Park – October 17-18
Phillip Island – TBC
Bathurst International (ARG) – November 14-15
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Porsche unveils 2020 calendar for the rebranded Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Porsche unveil 2020 Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia calendar
Porsche unveils 2020 calendar for the rebranded Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Porsche unveils 2020 calendar for the rebranded Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Following the announcement that the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge series will be rebranded to Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia from the start of the 2020 season and that the French tyre giant has again reaffirmed their support for the series for next year as Title partner, Porsche has revealed their race calendar for the 2020 season.
The six-round series, which caters for the previous generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars will again feature as a highlight of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships program for 2020.
Having celebrated the series 200th race in 2019, the 2020 schedule sees the series start in late March at the Sydney Motorsport Park in NSW, before heading south to Winton in early May and continuing onto The Bend Motorsport Park a month later.
The second half of the season sees the series travel north to Morgan Park in Queensland before returning to Victoria for the last two rounds at the Phillip Island and Sandown Raceway circuits respectively.
As a feeder category for Australia's premier one-make championship, Porsche PAYCE Carrera cup Australia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge forms the first domestic step for Porsche enthusiasts and many young, talented racing drivers wishing to climb the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid with the successful Porsche Michelin Junior Program.
The series' Pro-am class – won by The Bend Motorsport Park owner Sam Shahin in 2019 – is equally popular with amateur Porsche drivers, hosting some of the best on-track racing at Shannon's rounds last year.
The 2020 calendar is tailored to offer not only the best value but cut costs for all drivers and teams. Care was also taken that the dates do not conflict with any of the 2020 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship rounds, which again feature on seven main marquee rounds of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship as well as the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
As in 2019, the series will again include endurance races as part of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, with the opening five rounds featuring an endurance-style race, followed by two sprint races. The season finale, to be held at Sandown raceway, will remain as a sprint format across all races.
"Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia certainly experienced its strongest year to date in 2019 and we look to build upon this success in 2020," said Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy.
"With the Shannon's Motorsport Australia Championships enjoying record: crowd attendance, social, online and live stream audiences in 2019, we feel this provides our teams, drivers and series partners with an incredible platform from which to start the 2020 series."
"There is already great interest from those looking to race in Michelin Sprint Challenge next season and we expect to see a similar number of drivers and cars, if not more, on the grid in 2020."
2020 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia calendar
Round 1 Sydney Motorsport Park 27-29 March 2020
Round 2 Winton Raceway 1-3 May 2020
Round 3 The Bend Motorsport Park 12-14 June 2020
Round 4 Morgan Park 3-5 July 2020
Round 5 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 21-23 August 2020
Round 6 Sandown Raceway 11 – 12 September 2020
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News
GT3 Cup Challenge to be renamed Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia from 2020
Michelin renew as Title Partner of the rebranded Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia
GT3 Cup Challenge to be renamed Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia from 2020
GT3 Cup Challenge to be renamed Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia from
2020
Porsche have announced that their popular GT3 Cup Challenge national series will be renamed to Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia from 2020 onwards. The decision to rename the series is to align to the global rebranding of the category by Porsche AG ensuring the product is consistent in every market it is conducted.
Porsche Cars Australia's Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy made the announcement to drivers, teams and partners at the 2019 Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Awards dinner at the final round at The Bend Motorsport Park.
"The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge is an integral part of our motorsport program in Australia, which is the first step in our Porsche Motorsport pyramid, and is fortunate to currently enjoy its strongest ever levels of support from its competitor's teams and it's commercial partners."
"2019 has been a break out year for the category in all measures but the exciting news is that the 2020 season is looking just as strong with an exciting calendar, extensive broadcast package, great prizes and support package and of course a comprehensive junior programme for the best young talent wanting to develop their career."
"Aesthetically, all fans will notice is the change in the series logo and the corporate identity of the new Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia name."
The second big announcement of the night was that French tyre giant, Michelin have again resigned as the title partner for 2020.
On the announcement, Bundy said, "We have had a fantastic group of partners on board this year and we would look to continue that in 2020 with discussions well underway and positive interest from all partners. It gives me great pleasure to announce that Michelin have secured the title partner rights for Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia for 2020.
"Michelin has been a key strategic partner globally for Porsche for many years now. They extended that partnership last year in Australia by securing the title partnership rights to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge. This partnership has been a great success for both parties this year and it's great to be able to continue the relationship into 2020, cementing the partnership between Porsche and Michelin."
"Partners like Michelin are incredibly important to us and share our vision in this development pathway, we just couldn't deliver the level of programme we do without their support," he continued.
Swaroop Tulsidas, Marketing Manager for Michelin Australia said, "Michelin has a strong relationship with the team at Porsche, both here in Australia and across the globe, and to continue our series support in 2020 with the Michelin Sprint Challenge is really exciting news for us."
"It's fantastic that we are able to announce the renaming of the series at the culmination of another extremely competitive race season. We have no doubt that the Michelin Sprint Challenge will continue to provide highly-contested fields, door to door racing, and importantly a pathway for the junior drivers to develop their skills through the elite Porsche Motorsport pyramid."
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Harri Jones, Sam Shahin and David Grieg are the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Champions for 2019
Jones, Shahin & Greig clinch Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge titles
Harri Jones, Sam Shahin and David Grieg are the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Champions for 2019
Harri Jones, Sam Shahin and David Grieg are the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Champions for 2019
As the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams lined up on the sun-soaked Bend Motorsport Park for the last time in the 2019 season, just three races remained and all three titles were still up for grabs.
At the sharp end of the Pro field, it was again an age-old battle between Sonic Motor Racing (Aaron Love and Max Vidau) and McElrea Racing (Harri Jones and Ryan Suhle).
Sonic has dominated the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge's top class in recent years with champions such as Simon Fallon and Jordan Love among that list. An outright Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge victory had always alluded McElrea Racing by contrast and the Queensland team were hoping that Jones could get the job done at The Bend.
With only a 92 point margin between Love and Jones, the Helimod backed driver, needed to just stay clear of trouble and show that finish among the leading Michelin Juniors in each race to win the overall title.
But it wasn't going to be easy as Love and Vidau jumped passed pole-sitter Ryan Suhle into turn 1, with Jones opting to follow behind his teammate in fourth.
Further back disaster struck The Bend Motorsport Park owner Sam Shahin when his clutch pedal stuck off the line. The TAG Heuer Pro-Am series leader must have seen his fairy tale finish to his championship slipping away, but managed to get his HTFU Porsche 911 GT3 Cup started and pulled away just before the recovery vehicle looked to remove him. Shahin was now almost 15sec behind the last car in the field though, setting the stage for a mammoth recovery drive from far behind the entire field.
TAG Heuer Pro-Am Pole sitter Brett Boulton meanwhile had pulled out a strong lead at the front of the class, while Andrew Goldie again found himself embroiled in a massive fight with David Greig in Class B. Goldie would depart the track on lap 5 though, handing Greig the advantage and the class lead to the finish line.
The high level of competition and raw pace shown by the Michelin Juniors at the front of the field this year, was again shown in the Friday qualifying when the pole time of Suhle would have put him fifth in recent Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup field. An incredible performance when you consider the GT3 Cup Challenge Cars cater for the previous-gen 2 Porsche 911 Cup cars that last raced in the premier class three years ago.
Love and Vidau soon proved to be the fastest on the track in Race 1, with South Australian overtaking his Sonic Racing teammate on lap 4. Vidau would also set a new lap record of 1:51:4875 in the process. Love fought him to the last corner and crossed the line only a tenth behind Vidau, with Suhle, Jones and Christian Pancione completing the all Michelin Junior top 5.
It was Vidau's ninth win of the season, in what has been an impressive year despite the sporadic mechanical issues he suffered at crucial stages of the season.
Boulton was followed home by Ross McGregor and Michael Loccisano in the Pro-Am battle, with Sam Shahin recovering incredibly to ninth overall and fourth in class. Heading into Race 2, Shahin's Buick Motorworks team did an amazing job to replace slave cylinder between sessions and by the end of lap one, he had already repaid them, passing both McGregor and Boulton for the TAG Heuer Pro-Am lead.
At the front end, Harri Jones put all the Porsche's 460hp to good use off the line, but opted to stay well clear following the front trio of Vidau, Love and Suhle through turn one.
The first five cars were covered by less than a second as the race progressed before Vidau ran wide and understeered off on lap 5. He would recover to third behind Suhle and eventual race winner Love.
Jones would finish fourth, giving him a 62 point buffer into the overall standings. With only 60 pints on offer Jones was now the outright Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge champion for 2019, handing McElrea Racing their first outright trophy.
Shahin would finish just behind the Pro leaders in sixth, clinching TAG Heuer Pro-Am title at his home track from Brett Boulton. Andrew Goldie did what he could to take the Class B, but the ever consistent David Greig's second place ensured he would take the Class B title.
With all three championships wrapped up, teams lined up for the final race of the season. Although the track temperatures had risen to 37 degrees, 11 degrees warmer than Race 2 at midday, the racing remained fierce and Sam Shahin now found himself dicing amongst the leading Juniors at the front of the field.
By the end of the shortened 8 lap race, Aaron Love took the final race win and with it the round victory followed by Max Vidau. Ryan Suhle would take his third podium of the weekend and occupy the last step of the podium.
Brett Boulton's consistency saw him take the round win in TAG Heuer Pro-Am ahead of round (and series) winner Shahin, while Graham Williams put in one of his best performances of the year to finish the round and year in third.
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McElrea Racing tops the timesheets in Pro and Pro-Am Cup Challenge finale
Suhle and Boulton on top in Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Qualifying
McElrea Racing tops the timesheets in Pro and Pro-Am Cup Challenge finale
McElrea Racing top the timesheets in Pro and Pro-Am Porsche finale
Ryan Suhle has saved his best to last in qualifying for the final round of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge, taking his first pole position of the season today in the Grand Finale' at The Bend Motorsport Park.
His teammate Brett Boulton made it a double delight for McElrea Racing, taking pole position in TAG Heuer Pro-Am as he attempts to overhaul local favourite Sam Shahin for the class championship.
In the dying laps of the 20-minute qualifying session, Suhle's second-set of Michelin tyres worked superbly as his 1m50.9918s flying lap jumped him to the top of the charts on his penultimate lap of the session.
His lap was 0.2 seconds faster than the next best, Sonic Racing's Aaron Love, and was so fast that it would have placed him fifth outright on the grid for the recent Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia round at The Bend.
After having already scored a pair of front-row starts this year, a breakthrough pole position came as a relief to the open-wheel graduate
"For me, it's awesome to come out and do the job. We haven't really shown our pace this year. We've been really fast but I've just made a few mistakes which means we're not where we should be in the championship, in my opinion," he said.
"I've never run here on new tyres. The first set I didn't maximise the grip but the second set I put the lap time in and it was really good."
Suhle said he was taking a measured approach to the final round off an often challenging season, as he looks ahead to a title tilt in 2020.
"I think this year I've tried to get involved a little bit too much which has meant I've had a few DNFs along the way, which has hurt my championship, so I'm trying to dial it down, get some good points and get some practice at that sort of mentality for next year – because next year I want to win the championship."
Love was second, two spots ahead of championship leader and nearest title rival Harri Jones.
The pair were split by the second Sonic entry of local hero, Max Vidau, who qualified third.
Jones carries a 92-point lead into the final round of the season and while fourth place may not have been an ideal result for the title leader, it's the third time this year the Queenslander will have started from that grid position.
Jones still retains a perfect podium finishing record this season with a series of solid top four results likely enough to see him crowned champion tomorrow.
Christian Pancione was fifth, less than a second from pole, while fellow Michelin Junior Tom Taplin qualified sixth.
In just his second-ever Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge round, Oliver Shannon qualified seventh and will start alongside TAG Heuer Pro-Am polesitter Brett Boulton.
Boulton trails class leader Sam Shahin by 76 points heading into tomorrow's three races: his chances aided by The Bend Motorsport Park entry of Sam Shahin completing just one lap in qualifying after the car spun a belt on his out-lap.
As a result, Shahin will start race one from 16th position while Boulton's hopes for a come-from-behind victory gained momentum.
"It's going to be massive – I need a good sleep tonight," Boulton said.
"I got a bit lucky because he had a few dramas, but you never know in this business so we're going to come out all guns blazing tomorrow and see how we go.
"It's unreal, it's definitely a drivers track and perfect for these cars. I've had a fair few offs here trying to find the limit but it's great fun, awesome."
Andrew Goldie, who trails class leader David Grieg by just 18 points in the Class B battle, qualified on pole in his category and also an outstanding ninth outright – Grieg two places back in 11th.
Matt Belford rounded out the top 10 with second in TAG Heuer Pro-Am, one of the best performances of his season.
Ross McGregor – celebrating a record-breaking 35th GT3 Cup Challenge round this weekend – was 12th while Graham Williams, Rob Woods, Michael Loccisano, Shahin, Nathan Murray, Marty Ewer, Jonathan Glicksten and Tony Martin completed the field.
The three final races of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge series will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at The Bend Motorsport Park; all three to be streamed live via thenationals.com.au.
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
Schedule – Round 6, The Bend
Saturday, 16 November
09:00-09:20 Race 1
11:45-12:05 Race 2
15:40-16:00 Race 3
TV Broadcast details
All three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
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The Bend Motorsport Park to host the final round of the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
The Bend to decide Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge class titles in series finale
The Bend Motorsport Park to host the final round of the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
The Bend Motorsport Park to host the final round of the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
The sixth and final round of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge series gets underway this weekend in Tailem Bend in South Australia with all three class titles up for grabs. The fast and flowing turns of the 4.95km circuit that characterize The Bend Motorsport Park are tailor-made for the Porsche 911 GT3 cup cars and traditionally very hard on the Michelin control tyres.
The track is also the longest of all the tracks on the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge calendar and a favourite among both Pro and Pro-Am drivers due to its fast, but technical nature. With the outright, TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Class B titles all still to be decided, fans are likely to see the titles to go down to the wire in the final race on Saturday.
The Queensland based McElrea Racing team is leaving nothing to chance, having recently conducted test sessions at the circuit with their leading Pro and Pro-Am drivers including series leader Harri Jones and Ryan Suhle as well as TAG Heuer title contender Brett Boulton.
Jones sealed the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy in the last round at Sandown Raceway, ahead of Aaron Love and Christian Pancione. With three races (180 points) available over the weekend, the Helimods backed driver will be hoping to extend to stay out of harm's way and maintain his 92 point advantage over Sonic Racing's Aaron Love in second.
Both Love and teammate Max Vidau (who trails Jones by 142 points) still have a mathematical chance of clinching the Pro title and come off strong form leading into the event after dominant race victories in Sandown. Others in the hunt for race wins will be Christian Pancione, Tom Taplin and Ryan Suhle who have all showed good qualifying pace and consistency in the second half of the 2019 season.
The ultra-competitive Pro battle will again welcome the GWR Australia run entry of Oliver Shannon after his debut in the series in Sandown. With the third-most starts in series history, Sam Shahin will be looking for a fairy tale ending to his 2019 campaign by clinching the TAG Heuer Pro-Am series title at his own track.
Shahin comes off an amazing Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia performance in recent weeks, after winning all three Pro-Am races on the final round on the Gold Coast. The South Australian has a 73 point lead over Brett Boulton in second in the TAG Heuer standings for Michelin GT3 Cup challenge and the battle between the pair will be one of the highlights of the race weekend.
The Southern Star Windows entry of Ross McGregor sits a strong third in the Pro-Am championship standings, with a small, but mathematical chance (157 points adrift of Shahin) of taking the class title should the front runners have misfortune. McGregor is well clear of Rob Woods, Michael Hovey and Graham Williams in the points table, who are locked in their own battle for fourth and fifth position in the series.
After Sandown, McGregor is now the record holder for the highest number of race starts in the series' history at 101, a record previously held by John Goodacre. Round 6 will also see the return of experienced Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge campaigner Michael Loccisano in the Porsche Centre Melbourne prepared Hallmarc entry, after missing the Sandown round due to work commitments abroad.
The closest class battle to be contested this weekend, will not be at the sharp end of the field, however, but rather toward the rear in the Class B category. The 2019 Class B season has witnessed a season-long tussle between Andrew Goldie and David Greig, with only 30 points separating the pair heading into this weekend, every race will count. With Tony Martin injuring his hand earlier in the season, Nathan Murray is assured of third in the Class B classification.
After a pair of practice sessions and a late afternoon qualifying session on Friday, all three races will be held on a busy Saturday and streamed live via the Shannons Nationals website.
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
Entry list – Round 6, The Bend
Car # CLASS DRIVER SURNAME SPONSOR
1 3 Pro-Am Jonathan Gliksten Cure FA
2 5 Class B Nathan Murray Garage 1
3 7 Pro Ryan Suhle Ryan Suhle Racing – Ray White
4 9 Class B Tony Martin TM Motorsport / The Triffid Bar. Venue
5 10 Pro-Am Michael Loccisano Hallmarc
6 12 Pro Harri Jones Heli Mods
7 13 Pro-Am Sam Shahin The Bend/HTFU
8 14 Pro-Am Matt Belford ID Land
9 22 Class B Andrew Goldie Woodford Trailers
10 26 Pro Tom Taplin Taplin Real Estate
11 29 Pro-Am Rob Woods GWR/Commercial Interior Projects
12 38 Pro Oliver Shannon
13 76 Pro Christian Pancione VCM Performance
14 77 Pro Max Vidau Sonic Motor Racing
15 78 Pro Aaron Love Sonic Motor Racing / SRG Global
16 84 Pro-Am Brett Boulton Bold Living
17 87 Class B David Greig Daikin Air Conditioning / DW Motorsport
18 93 Pro-Am Marty Ewer Dr Marty Ewer
19 99 Pro-Am Ross McGregor Southern Star Windows P/L
20 131 Pro-Am Graham Williams Sonic Motor Racing / Williams Racing
LAP RECORD – THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK
Cooper Murray – 1m53.9778s – (2018)
Schedule – Round 6, The Bend
Friday, 15 November
08:45-09:15 Practice 1
11:00-11:30 Practice 2
15:35-15:55 Qualifying
Saturday, 16 November
09:00-09:20 Race 1
11:45-12:05 Race 2
15:40-16:00 Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
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Max Vidau takes victory in Race 3 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Vidau dominates Race 3 in Sandown while Jones takes Jim Richards Endurance Trophy
Max Vidau takes victory in Race 3 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Max Vidau takes victory in Race 3 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Race 3 of the penultimate round of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge saw Aaron Love and Max Vidau dominate from the start to finish. Harri Jones' consistent run of form also saw him claim the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Clear sunny skies greeted the drivers as they lined up for Race 3 early on Sunday morning. The conditions were near perfect for close racing and a welcome sight from the cloud, wind and rain that characterised the previous days.
Max Vidau made a great start from the third row of the grid, immediately leapfrogging Harri Jones and slotting in behind Love into Turn 1. The Sonic Motor Racing teammates then pulled a small gap on the chasing field in the early laps, before contact between Nathan Murray and Jonathan Gliksten forced the NSW driver over the grass and into the side of luckless Matt Belford.
The first of two safety car periods bunched the field. Love then lead Vidau, Christian Pancione, Ryan Suhle and Harri Jones onto the pit straight as the green flag waived on Lap 6.
Sam Shahin too had made a strong start as he did in Race 2 to move ahead of championship rival, Brett Boulton in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am battle. Andrew Goldie lead the Class B battle from start to finish with David Greig consolidating a strong weekend by following him to the line in second and clinching the round victory.
A second safety car period came about after Matt Belford dived up the inside of Rob Woods into turn 9. Woods would spin and beach himself in the gravel trap while attempting to re-join the race.
The green flag waved with 23 laps remaining. In the fight for the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, even if Love held his lead to the line, Harri Jones only needed to finish sixth or better to claim the Trophy. Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione would then tangle onto the pit straight, leaving Jones to slot into third place.
Vidau would eventually pass Love for the lead at the mid-point of the race, while Ryan Suhle proved to be the fastest man on track for the second day in succession, breaking the lap record yet again with a time of 1:09.955.
Vidau grew his advantage over Love in the last laps and would hold onto take the race win.
After the race Sonic Racing Team Owner, Micheal Ritter spoke on the dominating performance of his two drivers, "We've had good results here and certainly had good speed this year, but not necessarily good results everywhere."
"At the end of the day, the boys are racing each other no different to racing anyone else… other than a little bit more respect between them as teammates. In the end, I'm happy for Aaron to get the round win and a bunch of points as I am for Max to bounce back as he did for today's win.
Jones would finish in third position over 9 seconds adrift of the leading pair. The McElrea Racing driver hasn't been out of the top three this season and now holds not only the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy but the overall Championship lead with an advantage of 92 points heading into the final round.
Jones was followed home by Pancione and Suhle, while Sam Shahin would take a strong sixth overall and the round win in TAG Heuer Pro-Am. The South Australian built a gap of over 6secs to Brett Boulton, with Michael Hovey in third.
After the race, Shahin revealed he had been nursing the car to the finish, "I'm absolutely thrilled the way I drove that last race. I did my best lap in that third race on a used set of tyres. I knew the pace was there I just had to get it together. "
"But I kept getting a water pressure alarm as we had a hole in the radiator from about halfway through and I was really praying that the car was going to make it to the finish line. It gives me a lot of confidence and a lot of things have to go right over a race weekend for everyone to leave with a smile on their face."
Shahin then pondered the prospect of clinching the Pro-Am title at his own circuit at the final round in November, "I don't really want to think about it, but I can't get it out of my head at the same time. I've finished second in Pro-Am in Cup Challenge in the past, so I just hope it goes well."
The final round of the 2019 championship will take place the Bend Motorsport Park on 15-16 November.
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Aaron Love takes victory in Races 1 & 2 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Love wins Races 1 & 2 of Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Aaron Love takes victory in Races 1 & 2 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Aaron Love takes victory in Races 1 & 2 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Thanks to some long hours by the mechanics, the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Australia field was back to full strength after Friday's incidents with a 19-car field rolling out for Race 1 on Saturday morning.
As the lights went out, Harri Jones made the perfect start, launching past the Bob Jane T-Marts / Sonic Racing entry of Max Vidau into the lead in Turn 1. Vidau's sluggish start also saw him get passed by Aaron Love, Christian Pancione and Tom Taplin on the first lap with Suhle making up one spot to sixth – after a pit lane infringement saw him starting seventh.
Brett Boulton would jump from tenth overall to seventh and lead the TAG Heuer Pro-Am field from Sam Shahin and Danny Stutterd.
Despite light rain and drizzle characterizing the early laps, the conditions didn't hinder the early pace, with Jones pulling out a 2.278sec gap over Love in second. Andrew Goldie mechanical issues continued from his Friday accident and Jones would catch the Class B competitor just as the West Australian limped back to the pit lane.
Jones lost his early 2-second advantage as a result and Love quickly seized the opportunity to make his move taking the lead at the end of the back straight.
Meanwhile, Ryan Suhle was setting a blistering pace, breaking the lap record on more than one occasion and eventually passing Max Vidau. Vidau would then spin while attempting to retake the position on Lap 9.
At the front of the field, the pace of Jones's Helimods 911 GT3 improved as the race went on allowing him to challenge Love toward the back end of the race. In a thrilling final few laps, Jones would get held up while lapping Graham Williams, while Suhle would spin challenging Love for the lead. Love too, would run wide on the final corners but hold onto his advantage over the line and take the Race 1 win.
By the time the flag fell, the times set by the top six cars were all below the existing lap record – with the fastest lap of 1:10.012 of Suhle a testament to the grip of the Michelin tyres throughout the race.
Brett Boulton would take TAG Heuer Pro-Am line honours, 2.5secs ahead of Danny Stutterd and Sam Shahin, while David Greig would go unchallenged in Class B
As the teams lined up for Race 2 on Saturday afternoon, Harri Jones consistency through the first five rounds meant the McElrea Racing driver held 110-point championship advantage.
Race 2 started with the leading quartet spread four-wide into turn 1. Suhle made the best stat from the second row, but out braked himself heading into turn 1, leaving Christian Pancione to take the early race lead.
Further down the field, Danny Stutterd would spin out of contention while Tom Taplin would make contact with Vidau onto the back straight, earning him a drive-through penalty from the race stewards. Class B Championship rivals, Andrew Goldie and David Greig would also spin after contact in turn 1.
At the front Love would take lead in a tenacious high speed move into the infamous turn 6, forcing Pancione to run wide, damaging his front splitter and relegating him to third just ahead of Jones. The championship leader got a good run on Pancione down the pit straight, passing him on outside into turn 1.
Meanwhile, Vidau had fought his way back to fifth with 3 laps to go, with teammate Love ahead of Suhle, Jones and Pancione at the head of the field.
Unlike the first race, the backmarkers didn't alter the result and Love held off the chasing pack taking his second victory for the weekend.
After the race, Love said, "It was a really hard-fought race, but I'm absolutely stoked to get the win by getting passed Christian and holding off Ryan to the end of the race."
Sam Shahin would finish sixth behind the five Michelin Juniors, making it a win apiece in TAG Heuer Pro-Am ahead of the round's final race on Sunday.
After the race, the Bend Motorsport Park owner said, "I got squeezed out being a little too courteous in Race 1, so the Race 2 start was good and once I was in the lead, no one was going to pass me."
David Greig would again take the Class B win from Murray and Goldie, while debutant Oliver Shannon continued to impress in seventh from eleventh on the grid, in only his first Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge event.
Tomorrow's final race will also decide the Jim Richards Endurance Champion for 2019. The race starts at 09:40 and will broadcast live on the Shannon's Nationals livestream
Schedule – Round 5, Sandown
Sunday, 4 August
09:40-10:00am: Race 3
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Harri Jones and Sam Shahin top the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge timesheets at Sandown
Lap records tumble as Jones and Shahin set the pace in Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Harri Jones and Sam Shahin top the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge timesheets at Sandown
Harri Jones and Sam Shahin top the Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge timesheets at Sandown
Blustery grey skies greeted the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams and drivers as they arrived at Sandown Raceway for the Friday practice sessions for Round 5 of the 2019 championship.
A new section of freshly laid asphalt on the infamous track saw drivers struggle for consistency in the day's first session. Sonic Racing teammates Aaron Love and Max Vidau would set the early pace on their home circuit.
With 15mins left in the session, Vidau's pace was electric and he held over a second advantage over the chasing Pro field. But as the session continued, the chasing drivers slowly came to grips with changeable surface.
The gap between Vidau and the pack shortened to only a tenth of a second by the end of the session with championship leader Harri Jones improving to second, followed by McElrea Racing teammate, Ryan Suhle.
Danny Stutterd set the early pace on his return to the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class, posting a time over a second clear of Sam Shahin in the early session, while David Greig held the early advantage in Class B.
Just as the times continued to fall through the day's second practice, the session was red-flagged. The timesheets reaffirmed that 2019 will go down as one of the most competitive in Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge history. Vidau, Jones, Suhle and Love had all gone under the 2018 lap record time of 1:11.1226 – set by Vidau – in 2018. The four Michelin Juniors drivers also followed by TAG Heuer Pro-Am Championship leader, Sam Shahin in fifth.
The Bend Motorsport Park owner's time was good enough to split the Pro field with a sizable 0,7sec gap to Stutterd and 0,9sec advantage over championship rival, Brett Boulton, heading into qualifying.
Andrew Goldie would also make his intentions clear finishing the day's second session with a healthy advantage over Class B arch rival David Greig by the time the session was red-flagged – due to a turn 4 collision between Michel Hovey and Rob Woods.
Goldie's fortunes would change in qualifying though. The West Australian out braked himself on his third flying lap skidding through the gravel trap into the fence at turn 1. This put pay not only to his session but brought out another red flag.
With 5 minutes remaining, the pace at the front of the field was intense. Vidau was first to post a time of 1:10.3259 – almost 0,8secs under his own lap record – only to topped by Harri Jones in the dying minutes. Vidau's last lap edged him closer again to the top, but Jones too would improve his advantage again in the final minute, posting a blistering time of 1:10.0670.
After qualifying a relieved Jones said, "That was an awesome session, it was shortened due to a red flag but when we got back on track I decided not to mess around and get the job done. I left it to the dying moments to put in my best two laps, but I'm happy with the result and can't wait for tomorrow."
Jones and Vidau were followed by Suhle, Love, Pancione and Tom Taplin, with Sam Shahin lining up seventh overall – over 0.5secs faster than his nearest rival in the TAG Heuer Pro Am Class.
Shahin said, "The day started off very ordinary, I just couldn't get a read on the car in P1. But P2 and qualifying was good and the track just kept getting better. It was a shame for the red flag, but I'm very happy and absolutely thrilled."
Race 1 starts at 10:45 on Saturday and all three of the weekend's races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
Schedule – Round 5, Sandown Raceway
Saturday, 21 September
10:45-11:05: Race 1
15:05-15:25: Race 2
Sunday, 22 September
09:10-09:55: Race 3 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
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News
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle intensifies at Sandown
Sandown to crown Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Endurance Champions
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle intensifies at Sandown
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle intensifies at Sandown
After a six-week break, the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams head to Springvale, 25km to the south-east of Melbourne's CBD to the historic Sandown Raceway for round 5 of the 2019 Championship.
The 3.1km track – which has played host to the likes of Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio and Jean-Louis Schlesser in its illustrious past – will be a fitting host to the finale of the Championship's prized Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Named in honour of the Australasian racing legend, Jim Richards, the Trophy was first held in 2011 as a series within the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship. Past victors have included the likes of Roger Lago (2011); Fraser Ross (2014); Jaxon Evans (2016); Jordan Love (2017) and Cooper Murray (2018) to name but a few.
Only three drivers have a mathematical chance of claiming the 2019 Jim Richards Endurance Trophy in the final race at Sandown on Sunday. Among those in contention is current championship Pro class leader Harri Jones (228pts), followed by the SRG Global/Sonic Motor Racing entry of Aaron Love (198pts) and Melbourne resident, Christian Pancione on 180pts.
Jones, Love and Pancione are also among the leading protagonists for Pro class round honours this weekend, together with fellow Michelin Junior drivers Ryan Suhle and Max Vidau. Vidau will be hungry to get his championship fight back on track after he was forced to retire while leading Race 2 in Queensland Raceway.
Vidau broke the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Challenge lap record at the Sandown circuit in 2018 with a time of 1m11.1226s and will be a strong favourite for victory this weekend, thanks in part to the local knowledge of his Sonic Motor Racing Team.
With 60 points on offer per race, the championship is still wide open with Bob Jane T-Marts driver lying third in the overall championship, 8 points adrift of Sonic teammate Aaron Love and 24 points behind the Heli Mods entry of series' leader Harri Jones.
Cameron Crick will hand over the reins to the GWR Australia entry in Sandown to Oliver Shannon from the NSW Production Touring series, after a successful test session for the talented junior under the guidance of team owner Garth Walden at Wakefield Park last Saturday. Shannon will race under the Race for a Cure banner and promises to be one of the most exciting additions to the competitive Pro field.
In the TAG Heuer Pro-Am battle, Sam Shahin holds a healthy 76 point advantage over Brett Boulton after dominating the class in the first two rounds of this season in Tasmania and Sydney Motorsport Park. Boulton then returned serve with four victories (and a second-place) from the last six races.
Shahin will be doing all in his power to maintain his point's buffer, but Boulton looks to have the momentum and is working well with his McElrea Racing team.
The Southern Star Windows entry of Ross McGregor sits third in the Pro-Am championship standings, well clear of Rob Woods and Graham Williams who are locked in their own battle for fifth position. McGregor will equal the highest number of round starts in the series' history this weekend, a record currently held by John Goodacre.
Sandown will also see the return of experienced Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge campaigners, Danny Stutterd and Jonathan Gliksten to the TAG Heuer Pro-am field. While Michael Loccisano will miss this round due to business commitments abroad.
In the hotly contested Class B championship, it remains a two-horse race between David Greig and Andrew Goldie, the 997 pair sharing every race win this season… Sandown should be no different. Tony Martin has injured his hand is out for the rest of the season, which leaves his third place in the championship in jeopardy from Nathan Murray.
After a pair of practice sessions and late afternoon qualifying on Friday, two races will be held on a busy Saturday. The final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy completes the round on Sunday morning, with all three races streamed live via the Shannons Nationals website.
Car # CLASS DRIVER SURNAME SPONSOR
3 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Jonathan Gliksten Cure FA
5 Class B Nathan Murray Garage 1
7 Pro Ryan Suhle Ray White
12 Pro Harri Jones Heli Mods
13 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Sam Shahin The Bend/HTFU
14 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Matt Belford ID Land
22 Class B Andrew Goldie Woodford Trailers
23 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Danny Stutterd CB – Living
26 Pro Tom Taplin Taplin Real Estate
29 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Rob Woods Commercial Interior Projects
73 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Michael Hovey Triffid Bar
76 Pro Christian Pancione VCM Performance
77 Pro Max Vidau Sonic Motor Racing / Bob Jane T-Marts
78 Pro Aaron Love Sonic Motor Racing / SRG Global
84 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Brett Boulton Bold Living
87 Class B David Greig Daikin Air Conditioning / DW Motorsport
99 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Ross McGregor Southern Star Windows P/L
131 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Graham Williams Sonic Motor Racing
222 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Scott Taylor Scott Taylor Motorsport
TBC Pro Oliver Shannon Race for a Cure
Schedule – Round 5, Sandown Raceway
Friday, 20 September
12:10-12:40: Practice 1
14:55-15:25: Practice 2
17:40-18:00: Qualifying
Saturday, 21 September
10:45-11:05: Race 1
15:05-15:25: Race 2
Sunday, 22 September
09:10-09:55: Race 3 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
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Jones takes victory in the final race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge in QR
Harri Jones extends Championship lead with victory in Race 3
Jones takes victory in the final race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge in QR
Harri Jones takes victory in the final race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge in QR
As a blanket of early fog lifted from the Queensland Raceway on Sunday morning, all eyes were on the front row-pairing Harri Jones and Christian Pancione for the final race of Round 4 of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge.
The pair had traded blows the whole weekend and with championship rival, Max Vidau starting from the back of the field, Jones would be looking to extend his lead overall. Pancione, by contrast, would be hungrier than ever for his first win in Porsche GT3 Cup Car – having finished behind Jones in third and second respectively for the weekends' first races.
Race 3 literally started with a bang near the back of the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class, with Matt Belford and Graham Williams coming together off the start line. Belford's car would pivot into the newly-reinforced Queensland Raceway pit wall, while Williams' car would limp on to the outside of Turn 1.
With both cars stranded, a lengthy safety car period ensued. Jones backed up the field before the restart as he had done successfully in Race 2 and was closely followed by Pancione, Aaron Love, Ryan Suhle and Tom Taplin.
Sam Shahin had got the jump on Brett Boulton in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class after the Race 2 winner struggled off the start. Andrew Goldie and David Greig meanwhile, resumed where they had left off and continued their weekend-long tussle in Class B.
The safety car period removed any concerns the drivers might have had regards tyre conservation for Race 3 and it would be an intense finish to the line.
Jones executed the perfect restart as the cars emerged onto the pit straight with 7 laps remaining. Pancione slotted into second but challenged Jones for the lead down the back straight.
Jones took a defensive line into Turn 2 and retained his slight advantage, while McElrea teammate, Ryan Suhle was held up behind Aaron Love in the battle for third.
Suhle had better tyres and race pace than Love, causing the Bob Jane T-Marts driver to defend aggressively for a number of laps. Suhle eventually lost patience and dove up the inside of the left-handed turn 3 in the dying laps.
The contact relegated Love to fifth behind Sonic Racing teammate Max Vidau, who had made an impressive recovery from the back of the grid. After the race, the stewards would hand down a 15sec post-race penalty to Suhle, dropping the McElrea Racing driver to 11th in the final classification.
Jones would hold off Pancione for the race (and round) win, while Sam Shahin and Goldie would take line honours in their respective classes.
After the race, Jones thanked his team and sponsors, "It's been an awesome weekend, with two victories, a second and the round win, all in front of my support team and Heli Mods sponsors. The car was unreal and I can't thank McElrea Racing team enough."
"Taking the series' 200th race yesterday afternoon, was one of the best races of my life and my season so far. With such a long race, it was probably one of the biggest challenges for myself and the team, as it's easy to produce a car that's quick in the first 10 laps, but producing a car that's quick over 30 laps is just awesome."
The Queenslander extends his lead in the overall Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship, as the teams now head south for Round 5 at Sandown Raceway on the 20-22 September
For race interviews, pictures and videos, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
Full Results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Next race: Round 5, Sandown Raceway
20-22 August 2019
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Vidau takes Race 1 victory in Queensland, while Jones wins Race 2
Vidau and Jones share the victories in Races 1 & 2
Vidau takes Race 1 victory in Queensland, while Jones wins Race 2
Vidau takes Race 1 victory in Queensland, while Jones wins Race 2
The battle at the sharp end of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge field has never been tighter between the categories leading teams and drivers, with lap times thus far being the fastest ever recorded at the Queensland Raceway for this generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
While McElrea Racing drivers Harri Jones and Ryan Suhle topped the Friday practice sessions, it was the turn of Christian Pancione from Ashley Seward Motorsport (ASM) to set the pace in qualifying on Saturday morning.
After a strong performance behind the McElrea pairing the previous day, Pancione set the early pace in Saturday's qualifying and gradually got quicker through the morning session. After the trio of leading Michelin Juniors all pitted for fresh tyres with 5 minutes remaining, Pancione would emerge to post the fastest time of the weekend, narrowly edging out Ryan Suhle for pole position by a mere 0.040secs. Harri Jones and Max Vidau meanwhile would qualify in third and fourth respectively.
After the session, Pancione credited the pole position to the work of his ASM team, "Overnight the team and I went through the data and we saw where I could improve. The team did an amazing job with the car and I can't thank the ASM guys enough."
After a disappointing Phillip Island Round, Pancione also underwent development work with Paul Morris at his Norwell Motorplex in Queensland and together with the ASM team, looks to have found some good form at the mid-point of the 2019 season.
Brett Boulton would continue to set the pace in TAG Heuer Pro-Am class, as he had done all weekend, taking pole position ahead of Sam Shahin and Michael Hovey. Andrew Goldie would continue his season-long tussle with David Greig in Class B, out-qualifying the Victorian by just under 0.4secs.
The West Australian also credited the ASM team to his improved performance this season, "The biggest difference from last year, is that this year we are running with Ash Seward Motorsport. As privateers, we didn't have access to data previously, but the coaching and assistance I've received from Ash this year, has really made all the difference with me going faster."
But as the red lights went out for the start of Race 1, so too did the hopes of the ASM teammates. Both Pancione and Suhle got jumped off the line by the Bob Jane T-Marts entry of Max Vidau. The Sonic Racing driver drove from fourth to first around the outside of Turn 1, with Harri Jones slotting into second and Pancione into third.
Under braking for Turn 3 Ryan Suhle was squeezed to the outside and made contact back of Pancione. The incident bent the young Queenslander's steering rack and forced him into early retirement, unravelling all the hard work he had put in the previous day.
At the front of the field, Vidau was making the best job of leading pack on his Michelin tyres, and the leading trio soon pulled a 4.5sec gap on Cameron Crick in P4.
Tony Martin would then spin under breaking into the final corner. The resultant safety car would see Vidau, Jones and Pancione lose the advantage they had built up to the chasing field.
After the restart, the leading trio again looked to escape the pack, but on this occasion, Crick kept pace holding onto a strong fourth. Brett Boulton meanwhile, led the TAG Heuer Pro-Am battle in fifth. He was chased by Sam Shahin for most of the race, until contact with Tom Taplin with 6 laps remaining, saw Shahin retire with a puncture.
The last three laps were a masterclass performance by the leading Pro trio demonstrating hard, but fair racing. Vidau defended his lead from Jones who in turn came under intense pressure from Pancione. After some doorhandle-to-doorhandle passes and tit-for-tat exchanges, it was Jones that would cross the line second behind Vidau.
After the race, an ecstatic Vidau remarked, "Our cold tyre pace was great in the beginning, but that unfortunately hindered us at the end of the race as I killed the rear tyres. That meant I had to block very aggressively at the end, but I was happy to hold on for the race win."
The final session of the day marked not only the 33 lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race for the 4th round but also the 200th race milestone in Porsche Michelin GT# Cup Challenge history.
Vidau started in the same fashion that he finished the first, narrowly edging out Harri Jones for the lead into turn 1, but Jones undercut the Sonic driver to take inside line onto the back straight and head the field on the opening lap.
After his dramas in the Race 1, Ryan Suhle would start from the back of the 19-car grid, but soon pass six cars on the opening lap on his way through the field. By lap 10, a slight gap had emerged between the leading trio of Jones, Vidau and Pancione to the chasing pack. But a lapse in concentration exiting the 'paperclips' left-hand turn 3, would see Jones run wide and offer Vidau the opportunity to take the lead.
Further back in the Class B battle, Andrew Goldie would overtake David Greig for the lead and proceed to extend his advantage to the line. Brett Boulton would continue to dominate the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class pulling out a 6 sec advantage over Sam Shahin.
At the sharp end of the field, Vidau had controlled the pace for two-thirds of the race, until suddenly starting to slow on lap 21. Vidau's mechanical issues caused Jones to take evasive action and hand the lead to Pancione. Vidau's retirement dealt a devastating blow to the young South Australian and his Bob Jane T-Marts team.
Jones would then retake the lead from Pancione with a gutsy move around the outside of Turn 1, while teammate Ryan Suhle had made his way through the field to fifth. After a safety car in the dying laps bunched the field once more, it was all to play for with 5 laps remaining.
The restart would allow Suhle the opportunity to get passed Crick for fourth and pass Aaron Love around the outside turn 3 for third, mark an amazing recovery drive from the back of the field.
Jones would hold off Pancione in the last laps to take the historic 200th Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge race win and further extend his lead in the Championship. The battle resumes on Sunday morning for the final race of the weekend.
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
Full Results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Schedule – Round 4, Queensland Raceway
Sunday, 4 August
09:40-10:00am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
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McElrea drivers set the early pace in Practice 1 and 2 of Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Jones and Suhle leverage home advantage in Queensland Practice
McElrea drivers set the early pace in Practice 1 and 2 of Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
McElrea drivers set the early pace in Practice 1 and 2 of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge
Clear, sunny conditions welcomed the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams and competitors to Round 4 of the 2019 Championship at the Queensland Raceway in Ipswich on Friday.
McElrea Racing teammates, Harri Jones and Ryan Suhle put their hometown advantage to good use, taking turns to top the timesheets in the Pro Class in the day's practice session. Jones grabbed a last-minute advantage over Suhle in the dying moments of the morning session, with Christian Pancione and Phillip Island round winner, Jordan Love also showing good pace throughout the session in third and fourth respectively.
Jones and Suhle are both Queensland based and are thriving under the experience of the McElrea team, whose resume of developing future stars has included the likes of Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans and Cooper Murray in recent years.
In the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class, Scott Taylor set the early pace in Practice 1 but was soon demoted down the order by first Sam Shahin and then Brett Boulton, while Andrew Goldie was unchallenged in Class B.
After the day's first session Jones remarked, "It's been a good start to the weekend, we struggled on the first set of tyres, the Supercars rubber that went down last week has changed the track a fair bit, but we made a few tweaks and finished off P1."
"I love Ipswich, it's my home track and I've not only driven here for a few years but its where I started my racing career. It's probably not the most exciting circuit in Australia, but definitely produces some exciting racing."
Fellow McElrea teammate, Brett Boulton would also find his home town advantage beneficial despite the slippery conditions, "We were fortunate with this being our home track and to have had a test day here last weekend. While the track was slippery early on, I'm happy we could carry good momentum into this weekend."
By the time the day's second practice session commenced later in the afternoon, the sky was littered with rain threatening clouds but the session thankfully stayed dry allowing most teams to finalise their set up for the Saturday's early qualifying.
After Jones again grabbed the early advantage in the second session, it was Max Vidau's turn to join the party, bettering the 1m11.615 lap time Jones had posted in the morning session by a full tenth.
But as the session wore on, the times continued to fall with Pancione being the first to drop under the 1m11:4 mark. Suhle, Pancione and Jones then all dropped into the 1m10.6 sec bracket in quick succession with 5 minutes remaining.
New sets of Michelin rubber for both Suhle and Jones, finally saw the McElrea teammates round out the session with the days' quickest times. Suhle's final 1m10.561 lap was over 0.4secs faster than the 4-year-old lap record previously held by Ryan Simpson in 2015.
Boulton and Goldie again proved the pick of their respective classes and look likely to repeat the feat going into tomorrow's qualifying. Tomorrow's two races, along with Sunday morning's final sprint race will all be streamed live via the Shannons Nationals website.
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
Schedule – Round 4, Queensland Raceway
Saturday, 3 August
09:25–9:45am: Qualifying
12:55–13:15pm: Race 1
16:05–16:50pm: Race 2 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
Sunday, 4 August
09:40-10:00am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
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Queensland Raceway to host the 200th race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge this weekend
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge celebrates 200th race
Queensland Raceway to host the 200th race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge this weekend
Queensland Raceway will host the 200th race of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge this weekend
As the primary feeder category for the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia, the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge provides a home to not only seasoned racing enthusiasts but future stars.
This weekend will mark the 200th race in the series history, a significant milestone for the category and the Australian motorsport landscape. Created as a series for Porsche enthusiasts – by Porsche enthusiasts – its catered for 991, 997 and 996 models that had previously raced in the Porsche Carrera cup Australia.
The first-ever race was held at Mallala Raceway on 28 May 2008. Graeme Cook won all three races from Sven Burchartz that weekend, with the latter going on to claim the inaugural 2008 championship.
Commenting on the 200 milestone for the series, Burchartz said, "I'm really proud to see how the category has evolved and flourished over last years. It's found its true home now, as an integral step within the Porsche Motorsport pyramid."
The series would extend from 4 races to 6 for 2009, with Matt Kingsley taking the 996 class and outright championship ahead of Burchartz, while Roger Lago would become the first 997 class champion. The 997 cars were permitted to run with the series one year earlier than expected, as Carrera Cup went on hiatus for 2009 and 2010 seasons.
These 997 cars raced for points in their own class but were not awarded outright points, and thus, were not credited with outright race wins, poles or podiums in the record books. Burchartz along with John Trend and Jodi Zylstra were all instrumental to the creation of the series in 2008.
Zylstra explains how the category first came about, "GT3 Cup Challenge started as there was a need for drivers at the time – who didn't want to race in the Australian GT Championship – to establish their own category as many of the Porsches were already eligible, as well as others that could be accommodated within the class under the technical regulations. Sven (Burchartz) and Jon Trende approached Porsche Cars Australia in December 2007 and immediately got the support from Jamey Blaikie and Michael Winkler."
After the foundation was laid, Zylstra – who was Operations Manager for Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at the time – was approached by Porsche Cars Australia to oversee the running of both categories, when Porsche Carrera Cup Australia was reintroduced in 2011
There were no real issues or obstacles in those early years recalls Zylstra, as Trend and Burchartz infused a mantra among competitors of 'Race with your mates.' Basically, anyone who had a Porsche and wanted to race, could come away and compete with series for the weekend.
"We always tried to keep the competitor costs down and at the time, it was as much about the comradery among the drivers, as it was about the action on the track. There was always a lot of laughs and fun on Friday and Saturday nights. None of the guys took themselves too seriously in those days, but of course, all that changed as soon as they got on the track the next morning."
This sense of community prevails in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge paddock until today, although the make-up of the grid has evolved. While still providing a home for the enthusiasts of the German marque, in recent years Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge has become the country's most proven launchpad for talented youngsters to climb the Porsche Motorsport pyramid.
The series has witnessed many of today's top-level drivers cut their teeth in national competition, giving rise to the likes of Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans, Fraser Ross, Roger Lago, Michael Almond, Brenton Grove, Dylan O'Keeffe and Tony Quinn, to name but a few.
Since 2008 there have been 67 rounds of the series and a total of 199 individual races held at those rounds. Of these 199 races, only two have been declared as 'no results'. The first was in 2008 at Phillip Island, when Race 3 was cancelled after a barrier was damaged on the warm-up lap, with the resultant repairs forcing the cancellation of the race.
2009 at Eastern Creek, Race 2 was also declared a 'no result' after a multi-car accident on the opening lap caused a Safety Car and ultimately a red flag with the race declared.
As both races had started (a warm-up lap is considered a start under CAMS NCRs) the record books reflect that Queensland Raceway will host the 200th race this weekend, a huge milestone in the category's history.
The records also reflect that Matt Kingsley holds the record for the most pole positions (9); the most round wins (8) and the most race wins (24) in the series history. While Jeff Bobik holds the record for the most outright podium finishes (13) and John Goodacre the record for the most round starts (34)
Qualifying and all the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge races from Queensland Race this weekend will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
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Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams head to Queensland for Round 4 of the 2019 Championship
Harri Jones leads Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle into QR
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams head to Queensland for Round 4 of the 2019 Championship
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge teams head to Queensland for Round 4 of the 2019 Championship
Forty kilometres south-west of the Brisbane CBD lies the City of Ipswich, a historic mining settlement founded in 1827. Along with the city's more than 6000 heritage-listed sites and 500 parklands, many of its 200 000 residents are ardent motorsport fans and huge supporters of the local race track, the Queensland Raceway.
The 3.12km circuit – dubbed the 'paperclip' for its unusual layout of four right and 2 left-hand turns – plays host to Round 4 of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship this weekend, the premium one-make category of the Shannons Nationals series.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship has always been a feeder category for the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia, catering for both experienced Porsche enthusiasts as well as up-and-coming stars of the future.
This weekend, Race 2 will mark the 200th race in the series history, a significant milestone for the category and the Australian motorsport landscape. The first-ever race was held at Mallala Raceway on 28 May 2008. Greame Cook won all three races from Sven Burchchartz that weekend, with the latter going on to claim the inaugural 2008 championship.
From 2008 to 2018 there have been 67 rounds of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series and of these 199 individual races, only three have been declared 'no races'.
Over its history, the series has witnessed many drivers cut their teeth in top-level national racing and given rise to the likes of Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans, Fraser Ross, Roger Lago, Michael Almond, Brenton Grove, Dylan O'Keefe and Tony Quinn.
The category is also the launchpad for talented youngsters to climb the Porsche Motorsport pyramid. After successful campaigns in Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge, Jordan Love and Cooper Murray have looked to emulate Campbell and Evans' progression up the ladder thanks to dominant performances in the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia season thus far.
Love's brother Aaron, was the pick of the Michelin Junior contenders in Round 3 of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Championship in Phillip Island. But with three different winners from three different rounds this season, anyone can take line honours in Queensland, with all seven Michelin Junior drivers occupying the first eight positions in the overall standings.
Harri Jones' pace and consistency through every round sees him head the Championship into Queeensland with a 58 point lead over Max Vidau and Aaron Love. The Sonic Motor racing teammates are tied for second position with Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sam Shahin continues to lead TAG Heuer Pro-Am class, although his earlier comfortable margin has been reduced to 42 points with Ross McGregor in second and ever-improving Brett Boulton in third.
David Grieg retains the lead Class B however his margin too was reduced last time out, thanks to Andrew Godie's clean sweep at Phillip Island.
The Ipswich round will also see the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy decided across all four classes. After a pair of practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and two races will be held on a busy Saturday – the second race the longer, Jim Richards Endurance Trophy affair.
A final sprint race completes the round on Sunday morning with all three to be streamed live via the Shannons Nationals website.
Schedule – Round 4, Queensland Raceway
Friday, 2 August
11.25-11:55am: Practice 1
15:50-16:20pm: Practice 2
Saturday, 3 August
09:25–9:45am: Qualifying
12:55–13:15pm: Race 1
16:05–16:50pm: Race 2 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
Sunday, 4 August
09:40-10:00am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au website
For more race information throughout the weekend, follow the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge social pages: Instagram – @CupChallengeAus / Twitter – @CupChallengeAus / Facebook.com/CupChallengeAus
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Porsche dominates the 2019 24 Hours of Spa
Porsche celebrates one-two victory at Spa endurance classic
Porsche dominates the 2019 24 Hours of Spa
Porsche dominates the 2019 Total 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium, the world's biggest GT3 sportscar race.
The GPX Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R crewed by the current FIA WEC Sportscar World Champions Kévin Estre (France), Michael Christensen (Denmark), and Austria's Richard Lietz finished first at the Belgian long distance classic after 363 laps, securing Porsche its seventh Spa 24 Hour overall win.
The 500+hp Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Rowe Racing (#998) rounded off the one-two victory of the Porsche teams at the marathon in the Ardennes. Five of the six Pro-cars from Porsche finished the 71st running of the 24 Hours of Spa in the top ten.
Right from the start, the rain played the leading role at the 24-hour classic in Belgium. In the early hours of Sunday morning, the race had to be stopped for almost six hours due to heavy downpours. But even this interruption couldn't end the victorious drive of the number 20 Porsche 911 GT3 R. The crew with Estre, Christensen, and Lietz, which had been relegated down the field by a drive-through penalty in the evening, put in an impressive charge through the field.
When the race was halted, the driver trio had made it back to eighth place with a series of flawless and constantly fast stints and made up more positions after the race was restarted. With two hours to go, the GT3 R driven by Kévin Estre took the lead, which the Frenchman held driving the slick-shod car on a damp track surface. After nine years, it was time to celebrate again for Porsche at the prestigious endurance classic in the Ardennes.
The Rowe Racing #998 Porsche 911 GT3 R also had a race of mixed fortunes on the 7.004 kilometre storied circuit. Patrick Pilet (France), Frédéric Makowiecki (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) also lost many places due to a drive-through penalty and caught up to the frontrunners in the night with a strong performance in the rain. During the closing stages of the race, rain specialist Tandy conquered second place with several skilful overtaking manoeuvres to secure the one-two win for Porsche.
Scoring three more top ten placings, the Porsche customer teams crowned their strong and unified showing at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The #98 and #99 Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Rowe Racing finished fifth and seventh. KÜS Team75 Bernhard brought its identical #117 911 GT3 R home in ninth place.
Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Porsche Motorsport: "Congratulations to our customer teams at Spa. The effort of the engineers, strategists, the pit crews, and the drivers impressed me deeply. They all co-operated with our support crew from Weissach in the best possible way. We've scored this victory together. And the Porsche 911 again proved to be the car to beat at sportscar races."
VIDEO NEWS: https://vimeo.com/350594959
Result
1. Estre/Christensen/Lietz (F/DK/A), Porsche 911 GT3 R, 363 laps
2. Pilet/Makowiecki/Tandy (F/F/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 R, 363 laps
3. Engel/Buurman/Stolz (D/NL/D), Mercedes-AMG GT3, 363 laps
5. Müller/Dumas/Jaminet (D/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 R, 362 laps
7. Olsen/Campbell/Werner (N/AUS/D), Porsche 911 GT3 R, 362 laps
9. Bernhard/Vanthoor/Bamber (D/B/NZ), Porsche 911 GT3 R, 362 laps
248 drivers took up the 24 hour classic at Spa-Francorchamps in 72 cars. Eleven marques were represented at the 71st running of the Ardennes marathon, which is also Round 3 of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge. Porsche also won the opening round of the 2019 IGTC at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February.
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Matt Campbell's Bathurst winning Porsche 911 GT3-R set to return to Australia
Bathurst winning Porsche 911 GT3-R set to return to Australia
Matt Campbell's Bathurst winning Porsche 911 GT3-R set to return to Australia
The triumphant Bathurst12-Hour Porsche 911 GT3-R of Dennis Olsen, Dirk Werner and Porsche Junior Driver, Matt Campbell is set to return home.
The same Porsche 911 GT3-R that made a heroic charge from fourth to the lead of the 2019 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour in the final hour, will return to Australia later this year.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia racing driver, Paul Tresidder has purchased the winning car piloted by Dennis Olsen, Dirk Werner and Porsche Junior Driver, Matt Campbell. The historical victory marked Porsche's first outright win in Australia's International Enduro, adding the iconic endurance event to their trophy case.
A long-term exponent of the famous German marque, Tresidder was competing in the race with team Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – eventually finishing second in Class B and 19th outright.
As the race built towards its thrilling climax, the Sydney resident was watching from his own pit garage as Matt Campbell hauled the Earl Bamber Motorsport-prepared car through the international field. Following the Bathurst triumph, the car was flown to Germany and placed on display in the Porsche museum.
However, Tresidder's purchase of the 911 GT3-R from Porsche Motorsport last month, means the car will ultimately return to Australia.
"I was there in our pits watching the last hour of the race unfold. Whilst all three drivers contributed to the end result, for me the stand out drive of the day was Matt Campbell with three overtaking moves in the last hour of the race, the best I have ever seen," Tresidder explained.
"I was also competing in the same race with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia team, so there are great memories associated with this epic win. As an Australian, I wanted to bring the car back home."
Tresidder was presented the car last month in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, with Campbell on hand to 'hand over the keys' to the car. Despite his long relationship with the Porsche brand, Tresidder said he initially didn't think he would be able to purchase the black GT3R, which features the iconic Silver Fern along its flanks.
"I thought I wouldn't stand a chance of being able to secure the car, having won the 12-Hour," he explained.
"However after the race I caught up with Alex Gibot (Head of Porsche Motorsport in the Asia-Pacific region) and told him I would like to buy it. Alex knows my history with Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and my love of Porsche, plus the car would be coming home to Australia and properly looked after.
"Alex started the process by contacting Porsche in Stuttgart and got the ball rolling, and fortunately we were successful."
Currently still in Germany, the 911 GT3-R will begin a long journey home later this year via a stop at the Porsche Sports Cup China in October – a significant event in the region which will also feature several Porsche Museum cars on show on and off the track.
After driving the car for the first time in Shanghai, the car will return to Australia where Tresidder plans to race it as it was designed.
"I will race it lightly, probably the first event will be Bathurst at Easter 2020," he confirmed.
"The now-famous livery will also stay, the only change will be to wipe off the sticky remains of Matt's Champagne!"
With multiple starts to his credit in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, Tresidder says the 12-Hour is well established as one of the world's great races and the victory for Porsche had great significance for the brand and for him personally.
"This was Earl Bamber Motorsport's first attempt running two factory cars and for him and his team to get a first time victory – and a first victory for Porsche – it doesn't get much better."
Bamber and Campbell, along with their Porsche GT team mates, will defend their 24-point lead in the Manufacturers standings of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Lime Rock (USA) this weekend.
The race over 2:40 hours takes off on Saturday, 20 July and can be viewed live outside the USA and Canada on www.imsa.com.
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Three rounds, three winners after teenager claims classic Phillip Island battle
Love joins the party with round 3 victory
Three rounds, three winners after teenager claims classic Phillip Island battle
TEENAGER Aaron Love has become the third winner from three rounds in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, sweeping to victory at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria.
In a winner-take-all finale, Love entered the final race of the weekend tied on points with teammate Max Vidau and Championship leader Harri Jones, but won the start and fended off his rivals in a stunning 11-lap sprint to score his second race win of the year – and take the round overall.
Harri Jones finished second overall to extend his title lead, while Max Vidau completed the podium.
Brett Boulton won TAG Heuer Pro-Am in race three, while Shane Barwood won a highly competitive round in the Pro-Am class. Andrew Goldie swept all three races to win Class B.
Love, however, was the star as he won the start and fended off Jones and Vidau before gradually pulling away from the battle for second, ultimately recording a three-second victory aboard his Sonic Motor Racing Porsche.
His results mirror the efforts of older brother Jordan, who won the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia round at Phillip Island earlier this year.
As such, the Love brothers now each sit second in their respective championship standings heading into the second half of the year with Aaron now right in contention for the GT3 Cup Challenge title.
"A lot of hard work goes in to it. There's something about this track and (brother, Jordan) and I that mix with this track really well," Love said.
"I'm absolutely stoked, thanks to the Sonic boys this weekend. The team pushed me along though the last few races which has really helped and it's great to come away with the win. It was a close fought battle between each of us this weekend in every race and that makes it even sweeter to come away with the round victory.
"It looks really good in the championship now and we will be pushing harder than ever for the championship coming into the second half of the season."
The race was yet another thriller and while Love found himself with a margin late in the race, the battle behind was furious.
Jones and Vidau battled for the duration with the pair side-by-side on multiple occasions. The fight for second became a three-way battle late in the race when Ryan Suhle joined the fun, after he diced with Christian Pancione earlier on.
Tom Taplin charged to sixth place while Brett Boulton was seventh and first in TAG Heuer Pro-Am.
He and class leader Sam Shahin battled early in the race however the latter was forced out when his car stopped with damage at turn eleven at half-race distance.
Cameron Crick, Michael Hovey and Shane Barwood completed the top-10. Barwood sealed the TAG Heuer Pro-Am round victory thanks to a trio of consistent results as all three of the title contenders had issues throughout the weekend.
While Boulton and Shahin each had non-finishes this weekend, Ross McGregor was pinged five seconds for a start line infringement in the final race – costing him positions.
Michael Hovey finished second in class at Phillip Island while McGregor completed the podium.
Goldie won class B over Grieg and Tony Martin.
After the first three rounds, Harri Jones now leads the standings by 58 points as the series heads into a winter break, prior to the next round at Queensland Raceway in late July.
Vidau and Love are now tied for second position with Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sam Shahin continues to lead TAG Heuer Pro-Am, though his earlier comfortable margin has been reduced to 42 points. Ross McGregor remains second in class with Brett Boulton closing on each of them in third.
David Grieg retains the lead Class B however his margin has been reduced thanks to Andrew Godie's clean sweep at Phillip Island.
After a busy start to the season, the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge field takes a well-earned break prior to the second half of the season commencing at Queensland Raceway on August 2-4.
The Ipswich round will also see the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy decided across all four classes.
Championship Standings – After 3 of 6 Rounds.
- Harri Jones 480
- Max Vidau 422
- Aaron Love 422
- Ryan Suhle 366
- Christian Pancione 310
- Tom Taplin 259
- Sam Shahin 249
- Cameron Crick 238
- Brett Boulton 185
- Ross McGregor 184
Race 3 Results
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race Time | Fastest Lap | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 11 | 17:12.5635 | 1:32.6790 | ||||||||
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones (Qld) | Pro | 11 | 17:15.1545 | 1:32.5740 | ||||||||
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 11 | 17:17.5014 | 1:32.6072 | ||||||||
| 4 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (Qld) | Pro | 11 | 17:19.2073 | 1:32.3630* | ||||||||
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (Vic) | Pro | 11 | 17:26.5947 | 1:33.4419 | ||||||||
| 6 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 11 | 17:33.5624 | 1:34.4088 | ||||||||
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 17:43.4013 | 1:34.6628 | ||||||||
| 8 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 11 | 17:57.3471 | 1:33.3551 | ||||||||
| 9 | 73 | Michael Hovey (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:00.7257 | 1:35.8891 | ||||||||
| 10 | 21 | Shane Barwood (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:04.1709 | 1:36.2912 | ||||||||
| 11 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:08.8222 | 1:36.4034 | ||||||||
| 12 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 11 | 18:13.4168 | 1:36.7874 | ||||||||
| 13 | 131 | Graham Williams (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:16.0191 | 1:37.4249 | ||||||||
| 14 | 99 | Ross McGregor (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:17.3780 | 1:36.1580 | ||||||||
| 15 | 87 | David Greig (Vic) | Class B | 11 | 18:24.8482 | 1:37.9237 | ||||||||
| 16 | 14 | Matt Belford (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:36.1152 | 1:37.7611 | ||||||||
| 17 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 11 | 18:36.3010 | 1:38.3433 | ||||||||
| 18 | 9 | Tony Martin (Qld) | Class B | 11 | 18:40.1854 | 1:38.9433 | ||||||||
| 19 | 5 | Nathan Murray (Vic) | Class B | 10 | 17:20.4983 | 1:41.2346 | ||||||||
| 20 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 17:24.7785 | 1:42.0155 | ||||||||
| DNF | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 6 | 9:48.9730 | 1:33.9686 |
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Winner-take-all battle set for Sunday at Phillip Island
Tied at the top as Aaron Love scores maiden Porsche win
Winner-take-all battle set for Sunday at Phillip Island
A THREE-WAY tie for round honours will be broken in the final race of Round 2 of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
A dramatic Saturday at the iconic Victorian circuit set up tomorrow's decider that has Aaron Love, Harri Jones and Max Vidau tied on 108 points each after two of the rounds' three races.
Starting from pole, Max Vidau won a wild race one after a three-way fight with Jones and Love – that saw each of the three drivers lead the race on the opening lap.
If that was the entrée then the main course delivered even more as another Jim Richards Endurance Trophy classic added a new winner to the list this year.
Love starred in the 26-lap race later in the afternoon in another pitched battle with Jones and Vidau that saw intense battling from start to finish.
Jones jumped from second on the grid to an early lead in the trophy race and then spent much of the first half defending attack after attack launched at his McElrea Porsche by race one winner Vidau.
After several attempted moves for the lead, the Sonic driver then survived a wild, high-speed off at turn four mid-race after he and Jones caught lapped traffic – Vidau dropping back to sixth position before slowly recovering through the field.
That left Jones defending from Love, who finally worked his way past on lap 18.
The 16-year-old then edged away in the closing laps to record a stunning victory, becoming the fourth different winner in the eight races contested so far this season.
Jones finished second and Vidau third – after a heady battle with Christian Pancione and Ryan Suhle – to set up the three-way tie for the round results ahead of tomorrow's finale.
Love, the younger brother of Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia title contender Jordan, was thrilled to record his maiden victory in the series after graduating from open-wheel racing this year.
"It can't get much better than that," he said. "I was nice and consistent and tried to let the race come to us at the start.
"We were on the back of Harri and it was a long fought battle from there. I ended up getting past him at turn two and I was really proud of that. I tried really hard for that. After that it was keeping my eyes forward – being calm with no mistakes.
"It will be a really good race tomorrow with the three of us close together on points. It will be all out tomorrow to see who comes out on top so we'll see how it goes."
Pancione finished fourth – just behind Vidau – while Suhle was also in the mix en-route to fifth place.
With Cameron Crick sixth, Brett Boulton came from the back of the field to win TAG Heuer Pro-Am and claim maximum points in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy class fight.
The McElrea driver had started from the back of the field after failing to finish race one due to damage from an altercation on the opening lap (for which he was penalised), but charged through the field – and survived a spin at turn 12 – to take the class.
Tom Taplin finished eighth and Sam Shahin ninth – second in Pro-Am. Ross McGregor completed the top-10.
Love finished third in the earlier sprint race, won by Vidau after a pitched battle with Jones at the front of the field in the eight-lap dash.
Suhle and Pancione completed the top five, while Shane Barwood scored his first TAG Heuer Pro-Am victory of the season after title contenders Brett Boulton and Sam Shahin made contact at turn two – both spinning.
Andrew Goldie won both races in Class B to further close the margin to Class B leader David Grieg.
The final race of Round 3 commences at 9:10am on Sunday morning and will be streamed live via the GT3 Cup Challenge website and Shannons Nationals social media accounts.
Championship Standings – After Race 2, Round 3
- Harri Jones 426
- Max Vidau 374
- Aaron Love 362
- Ryan Suhle 324
- Christian Pancione 274
- Sam Shahin 249
- Tom Taplin 227
- Cameron Crick 212
- Ross McGregor 172
- Brett Boulton 156
Race 1 Results
| Pos | Car | Driver | CL Lap | Laps | Race Time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 8 | 15:11.3481 | 1:31.9865* |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones (Qld) | Pro | 8 | 15:11.8408 | 1:32.1421 |
| 3 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 8 | 15:12.8496 | 1:32.2306 |
| 4 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (Qld) | Pro | 8 | 15:14.4269 | 1:32.5262 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (Vic) | Pro | 8 | 15:14.8536 | 1:32.4293 |
| 6 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 8 | 15:16.1264 | 1:32.8550 |
| 7 | 21 | Shane Barwood (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:25.2874 | 1:35.2665 |
| 8 | 99 | Ross McGregor (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:25.6853 | 1:35.4064 |
| 9 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 8 | 15:31.0965 | 1:36.2604 |
| 10 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 8 | 15:32.4895 | 1:34.6234 |
| 11 | 131 | Graham Williams (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:35.7675 | 1:36.1317 |
| 12 | 73 | Michael Hovey (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:36.5960 | 1:36.3625 |
| 13 | 87 | David Greig (Vic) | Class B | 8 | 15:43.1955 | 1:39.1409 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:50.6337 | 1:39.1749 |
| 15 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 15:53.5661 | 1:40.2667 |
| 16 | 5 | Nathan Murray (Vic) | Class B | 8 | 15:58.5206 | 1:42.3395 |
| 17 | 14 | Matt Belford (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 16:08.2349 | 1:39.6331 |
| 18 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 16:10.6023 | 1:36.6188 |
| 19 | 9 | Tony Martin (Qld) | Class B | 8 | 16:16.3375 | 1:38.6567 |
| 20 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 16:20.3163 | 1:40.4964 |
| DNF | 84 | Brett Boulton (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am |
Race 2 Results
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race Time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 26 | 42:20.4106 | 1:32.1617* |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones (Qld) | Pro | 26 | 42:21.5577 | 1:32.4175 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 26 | 42:33.3337 | 1:32.3597 |
| 4 | 76 | Christian Pancione (Vic) | Pro | 26 | 42:33.5610 | 1:32.7454 |
| 5 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (Qld) | Pro | 26 | 42:33.9336 | 1:32.7379 |
| 6 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 26 | 42:37.0944 | 1:33.0446 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 42:48.3452 | 1:34.3046 |
| 8 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | PRO | 26 | 42:52.5446 | 1:33.6636 |
| 9 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 42:58.5660 | 1:34.4205 |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 43:01.1165 | 1:35.4363 |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 43:02.3686 | 1:35.6442 |
| 12 | 21 | Shane Barwood (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 43:27.9874 | 1:36.0455 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 26 | 43:28.4191 | 1:35.9862 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 43:32.0685 | 1:36.6494 |
| 15 | 131 | Graham Williams (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 43:32.2741 | 1:36.4886 |
| 16 | 87 | David Greig (Vic) | Class B | 26 | 43:40.1594 | 1:37.5353 |
| 17 | 9 | Tony Martin (Qld) | Class B | 26 | 43:46.6991 | 1:37.6034 |
| 18 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 43:45.3067 | 1:37.5999 |
| 19 | 14 | Matt Belford (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 24 | 43:20.0457 | 1:37.9907 |
| DNF | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 19 | 37:16.1519 | 1:40.1950 |
| DNF | 5 | Nathan Murray (Vic) | Class B | 9 | 15:30.4352 | 1:41.1599 |
Sunday, 9 June
9:10–9:30am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au
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News
Five one-hundredths covering top three contenders
Practice points to ultra-close Phillip Island fight
Five one-hundredths covering top three contenders
IF PRACTICE is anything to go by, the third round of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia could be one of the closest on record.
Title leader Harri Jones headed the field in his Heli Mods McElrea Racing Porsche GT3 Cup Car, however his 1m32.0964s best set in the second of two 30-minute sessions was only fractionally quicker than his teammate Ryan Suhle and round one winner, Max Vidau.
Suhle was just 0.0128s behind his teammate, while Vidau's Bob Jane T-Marts Sonic Motor Racing entry was only 0.05s from the fastest time of the day.
It sets the tone for a highly competitive weekend in a series that saw three winners from the three races last time out at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Vidau had topped the first session of the day and looked to do the same in the second session – setting quick sector times on his final flying lap though he was ultimately unable to jump the McElrea pair ahead.
A cloudy and overcast day turned to bright sunshine by the second session, resulting in quicker times in practice two.
Aaron Love was fourth fastest in the second Sonic Motor Racing entry while Sam Shahin completed the top five, and was also fastest in TAG Heuer Pro-Am.
Christian Pancione was sixth fastest on home turf with Cameron Crick in seventh.
Brett Boulton was second fastest in Pro-Am, 0.7 seconds behind class leader Shahin, while Tom Taplin rounded out the Porsche Michelin Juniors in ninth.
Ross McGregor, second in the Pro-Am standings, completed the top-10.
Earlier, Vidau topped the first session by 0.2 seconds as the 21-strong field took to Phillip Island in cool and overcast conditions.
Jones and Love were next while Suhle completed the top four. Christian Pancione was fifth while Sam Shanin continued his excellent form by topping TAG Heuer Pro-Am in practice one.
Cameron Crick, Brett Boulton and an impressive Jonathan Glicksten – returning to the series this weekend – rounded out the top 10.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge field will tackle three races this weekend at Phillip Island – two sprint races and the third instalment of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Qualifying, race one and race two – the endurance race – make up a busy Saturday program with the final race set for Sunday morning.
Harri Jones leads the 2019 championship thanks to his stunning victory – and misfortune for some of his nearest rivals – at Sydney Motorsport Park. Vidau, Love and Suhle each in close company for second, third and fourth respectively.
Sam Shahin leads the TAG Heuer Pro-Am standings over Ross McGregor and Brett Boulton.
Andrew Goldie topped class B in each session on Friday as he looks to close a 24 point margin to class leader David Grieg this weekend.
All of Saturday and Sunday's action will be streamed live via the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge website, and thenationals.com.au.
Schedule – Round 3, Phillip Island
Saturday, 8 June
9:35–9:55am: Qualifying
12:10–12:30pm: Race 1
3:10–3:55pm: Race 2 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
Sunday, 9 June
9:10–9:30am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au
Results – Practice 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 1:32.7261* | |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones (Qld) | Pro | 1:32.9708 | 0:00.2447 |
| 3 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 1:33.1768 | 0:00.4507 |
| 4 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (Qld) | Pro | 1:33.1920 | 0:00.4659 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (Vic) | Pro | 1:33.7376 | 0:01.0115 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.8508 | 0:01.1247 |
| 7 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 1:34.2290 | 0:01.5029 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:34.3275 | 0:01.6014 |
| 9 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 1:34.9012 | 0:02.1751 |
| 10 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.2752 | 0:02.5491 |
| 11 | 21 | Shane Barwood (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:36.2358 | 0:03.5097 |
| 12 | 73 | Michael Hovey (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:36.2535 | 0:03.5274 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 1:36.5645 | 0:03.8384 |
| 14 | 131 | Graham Williams (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:36.5837 | 0:03.8576 |
| 15 | 99 | Ross McGregor (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:37.3304 | 0:04.6043 |
| 16 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:37.4130 | 0:04.6869 |
| 17 | 14 | Matt Belford (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:37.6827 | 0:04.9566 |
| 18 | 87 | David Greig (Vic) | Class B | 1:41.5044 | 0:08.7783 |
| 19 | 9 | Tony Martin (Qld) | Class B | 1:42.1945 | 0:09.4684 |
| 20 | 5 | Nathan Murray (Vic) | Class B | 1:43.2274 | 0:10.5013 |
| 21 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:49.9492 | 0:17.2231 |
Results – Practice 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Harri Jones (Qld) | Pro | 1:32.0964* | |
| 2 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (Qld) | Pro | 1:32.1092 | 0:00.0128 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 1:32.1488 | 0:00.0524 |
| 4 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 1:32.9318 | 0:00.8354 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (Vic) | Pro | 1:32.9847 | 0:00.8883 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.0784 | 0:00.9820 |
| 7 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 1:33.3407 | 0:01.2443 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.7943 | 0:01.6979 |
| 9 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 1:35.1922 | 0:03.0958 |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.2296 | 0:03.1332 |
| 11 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.5933 | 0:03.4969 |
| 12 | 21 | Shane Barwood (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.6065 | 0:03.5101 |
| 13 | 73 | Michael Hovey (Qld) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.6312 | 0:03.5348 |
| 14 | 131 | Graham Williams (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:36.1937 | 0:04.0973 |
| 15 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 1:37.1733 | 0:05.0769 |
| 16 | 14 | Matt Belford (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:37.4335 | 0:05.3371 |
| 17 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten (Vic) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:37.8053 | 0:05.7089 |
| 18 | 87 | David Greig (Vic) | Class B | 1:38.4127 | 0:06.3163 |
| 19 | 9 | Tony Martin (Qld) | Class B | 1:40.6125 | 0:08.5161 |
| 20 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:43.3586 | 0:11.2622 |
| 21 | 5 | Nathan Murray (Vic) | Class B | 1:44.1375 | 0:12.0411 |
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TItle battle set to intensify at fastest circuit on calendar
Consistent Jones leads Porsche field to Phillip Island
TItle battle set to intensify at fastest circuit on calendar
Set for another dramatic round of an already compelling 2019 series, the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle will continue at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit this weekend (June 7-9).
The annual stop at the 4.46km circuit in Victoria comes after two different drivers from two different teams claimed victory in the opening pair of rounds this year.
While Sonic Motor Racing's Max Vidau swept to all three victories at the Symmons Plains season opener, McElrea Racing's Harri Jones returned serve in Sydney three weeks ago to leap to the championship lead as Vidau struck issues.
Jones jumped to the championship lead by winning the Jim Richards Enduro Championship race – his first of the year – at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Consistency has been key for the Porsche Michelin Junior driver; he's the only driver in the series to finish inside the top three in every race to date.
"There's a long way to go in the championship but it's good to be in this position after round two," Jones said following his Sydney success.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Phillip Island in the Porsche and driving that great circuit in one of these cars."
Jones leads Round 1 winner Max Vidau by 52 points, the latter having won the first four races of the season before a clutch issue saw him sidelined at the start of the second race in Sydney.
Vidau recovered to eighth in the final race that weekend and now heads a highly competitive fight for second in the standings as the series approaches it's half-way point.
Teammate Aaron Love trails Vidau by 12 points, while McElrea Racing driver Ryan Suhle is just 20 points behind second position.
In a weekend that featured three winners from three races, Suhle won his maiden Porsche race in Sydney before failing to finish the finale' with similar mechanical issues to Vidau.
The leading foursome are not expected to have things their own way this weekend as their three rival Michelin Juniors and the leading TAG Heuer Pro-Am contenders also attempt to grab some Phillip Island success.
17-year-old Victorian Christian Pancione scored his best ever Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge result in Sydney, grabbing his first major trophy of the season by finishing third overall.
The reigning class B champion also won at Phillip Island twelve months ago and will be keen to continue that performance on home turf this weekend.
Cameron Crick scored a trio of consistent results in Sydney to finish fifth overall, while Tom Taplin continued his rapid improvement to record his best finish (fourth, in race two) of the season to date.
Meanwhile, TAG Heuer Pro-Am leader Sam Shahin will look to use his vast experience to continue to fight with the Professional class contenders this weekend.
Shahin finished fourth outright in Sydney and has won the first two rounds of the Pro-Am championship this season.
He finished second and third, respectively, in the first two Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup races held at Phillip Island in April this year before failing to finish the third race.
Shahin leads the consistent Ross McGregor by 96-points in the Pro-Am battle while Brett Boulton now sits third.
The Queenslander won his first race of the season in Sydney's Jim Richards Enduro Trophy thriller, overhauling Shahin on fresher rubber late in the race.
Much with their Professional class rivals, the battle for second, third and fourth in TAG Heuer Pro-Am is particularly close with just 25 points covering McGregor, Boulton and fourth-placed Sergio Pires.
Just 24 points cover class B leader David Grieg and Andrew Goldie in their title fight, Tony Martin a further 30 points further behind.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge last visited Phillip Island in June last year.
After taking pole by just 0.08s, Cooper Murray completed a perfect weekend by going on to win all three races in style.
Having qualified second, Max Vidau failed to finish race one however recovered strongly to finish the final race on Murray's tail.
Simon Fallon and Jimmy Vernon competed the outright podium, while Ben Stack won TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Christian Pancione Class B.
The third round of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge will be a feature at this weekend's Shannons Nationals round at Phillip Island.
After a pair of practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and two races will be held on a busy Saturday – the second race the longer, Jim Richards Endurance Trophy affair.
A final sprint race completes the round on Sunday morning with all three to be streamed live via the Shannons Nationals website, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge website and social media accounts.
Schedule – Round 3, Phillip Island
Friday, 7 June
12:35–1:05pm: Practice 1
3:00–3:30pm: Practice 2
Saturday, 8 June
9:35–9:55am: Qualifying
12:10–12:30pm: Race 1
3:10–3:55pm: Race 2 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
Sunday, 9 June
9:10–9:30am: Race 3
TV Broadcast details
Qualifying and all three races will be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au
Entry List – Round 3, Phillip Island
| Car # | SPONSOR | DRIVER | STATE | CLASS | |
| 3 | Friedreich's Ataxia | Jonathan | Gliksten | VIC | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 5 | Garage 1 | Nathan | Murray | VIC | (Class B) |
| 7 | Ryan Suhle Racing – Ray White | Ryan | Suhle | QLD | (Pro) |
| 9 | TM Motorsport / The Triffid Bar. Venue | Tony | Martin | QLD | (Class B) |
| 12 | Heli Mods | Harri | Jones | QLD | (Pro) |
| 13 | The Bend/HTFU | Sam | Shahin | SA | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 14 | ID Land | Matt | Belford | VIC | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 21 | Melbourne Orthopaedic Group | Shane | Barwood | VIC | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 22 | Woodford Trailers | Andrew | Goldie | WA | (Class B) |
| 26 | Taplin Real Estate | Tom | Taplin | SA | (Pro) |
| 29 | GWR/Commercial Interior Projects | Rob | Woods | NSW | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 73 | Triffid Bar + Venue | Michael | Hovey | QLD | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 76 | VCM Performance | Christian | Pancione | VIC | (Pro) |
| 77 | Sonic Motor Racing / | Max | Vidau | SA | (Pro) |
| 78 | Sonic Motor Racing / SRG Global | Aaron | Love | WA | (Pro) |
| 84 | Bold Living | Brett | Boulton | QLD | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 87 | Daikin Air Conditioning / DW Motorsport | David | Greig | VIC | (Class B) |
| 93 | Dr Marty Ewer | Marty | Ewer | SA | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 99 | Southern Star Windows P/L | Ross | McGregor | VIC | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 131 | Sonic Motor Racing / Williams Racing | Graham | Williams | VIC | (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) |
| 777 | GWR/Plus Fitness Racing | Cameron | Crick | ACT | (Pro) |
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News
Boulton and Shahin on top in TAG Heuer Pro-Am in round two
Jones takes debut win in Sydney enduro classic
Boulton and Shahin on top in TAG Heuer Pro-Am in round two
HARRI JONES now leads the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series after sweeping to his first victory of the season, winning the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race today at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The McElrea Racing driver became the third winner from three races and won the Sydney round overall while Brett Boulton took the TAG Heuer Pro-Am honours in the race: Sam Shahin winning the round.
The 25-lap race was a typically dramatic affair with Jones in contention from the outset.
His teammate Ryan Suhle – who won race two on Saturday afternoon – broke a clutch at the start of the race and was left stranded, in a similar fashion to Max Vidau on Saturday.
Once in front, Jones extended an early buffer but then had to fend off a charging Aaron Love in the closing stages.
Love had started 10th however quickly worked his way through the field to sit second by lap 15.
He, and third-placed Christian Pancione, chased down the leader however ultimately finished just behind Jones in a tight finish between the top three.
Having now finished first, second or third in each of the six races held so far, Jones said he was proud of his progress throughout the season to date.
"We have had a lot of work done since Tasmania so our focus was on our starts so I'm stoked to come away with three good results and the podium," the 19-year-old said.
"The guys at McElrea gave me an excellent car and I'm stoked to come away with the win.
"I had the cool suit in for that last race and it helped a lot. I've done a little bit of endurance racing so I think trying to keep the energy going through the race was important and I felt like I drove really well.
"There's a long way to go yet but it's good to be in this position after round two."
Jones won the round overall and now also leads the Jim Richards Enduro Cup standings, while Love and Pancione each finished on the podium for the first time in their respective Porsche careers.
Cameron Crick finished fourth overall while Suhle – who had climbed to second in the championship following his maiden win yesterday – failed to add to his overnight score .
After starting 23rd, former championship leader Max Vidau stormed through the field to run as high as fifth by mid-race, only to ultimately slip back to eighth at the finish as he struggled following damage to his front splitter early in the race.
The battle for TAG Heuer Pro-Am honours was another competitive affair, race one and two winner Shahin actually leading the race outright after another blinding start.
Having used his newest tyres in Saturday's sprint races, he slowly slipped through the pack and ultimately spent much of the race battling with class rival, Brett Boulton.
Boulton slipped through on lap 16 and ultimately pulled away to record his first class victory of the season, while Shahin's second position ensured he won the round and extended his lead at the top of the championship.
"It was really tough," Shahin said. "By race three we had the oldest tyres probably of the field, and the car was a handful – but I actually really enjoyed it!
"I was grinning holding on to the car. It is a bit of a breakthrough weekend for me because this place hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for me to so to go home with a win is great."
Michael Loccisano completed the TAG Heuer Pro-Am podium.
In Class B, Andrew Goldie completed a perfect sweep of the weekend's races; taking his third win from as many starts in Sydney to take the round. David Grieg and Nathan Murray completed the podium.
Harri Jones now leads the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge by 52 points, with Max Vudau in second.
Aaron Love moves to third in the standings with Suhle fourth and Sam Shahin still fifth – and leading TAG Heuer Pro-Am.
The next round of the championship will see the series visit the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit on the June 7-9 weekend.
Results – Race 3 (Jim Richards Endurance Trophy)
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race Time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Harri Jones (QLD) | Pro | 25 | 38:57.4077 | 1:32.0617 |
| 2 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 25 | 38:57.9485 | 1:31.6958* |
| 3 | 76 | Christian Pancione (VIC) | Pro | 25 | 38:58.4252 | 1:32.2344 |
| 4 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 25 | 39:08.1870 | 1:32.3907 |
| 5 | 84 | Brett Boulton (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 39:25.3522 | 1:33.1571 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 39:33.2550 | 1:33.1752 |
| 7 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 25 | 39:34.4360 | 1:33.0636 |
| 8 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 25 | 39:40.1227 | 1:32.7916 |
| 9 | 55 | Sergio Pires (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 39:57.5269 | 1:32.9205 |
| 10 | 10 | Michael Loccisano (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 40:03.7711 | 1:34.5299 |
| 11 | 99 | Ross McGregor (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 40:08.2943 | 1:34.1249 |
| 12 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 25 | 40:26.1180 | 1:34.8620 |
| 13 | 21 | Shane Barwood (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 40:34.2294 | 1:34.4380 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 25 | 40:36.3102 | 1:34.6749 |
| 15 | 131 | Graham Williams (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 24 | 39:09.5840 | 1:35.4679 |
| 16 | 71 | Nathan Halstead (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 24 | 39:23.5385 | 1:36.2969 |
| 17 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 24 | 39:27.1332 | 1:36.5840 |
| 18 | 14 | Matt Belford (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 24 | 39:39.2333 | 1:36.5334 |
| 19 | 87 | David Greig (VIC) | Class B | 24 | 39:54.6338 | 1:36.9653 |
| 20 | 5 | Nathan Murray (VIC) | Class B | 24 | 40:23.3503 | 1:37.9054 |
| 21 | 9 | Tony Martin (QLD) | Class B | 23 | 39:00.5614 | 1:38.3244 |
| DNF | 17 | Marcel Zalloua (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 14:07.4025 | 1:33.5119 |
| DNF | 73 | Michael Hovey (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 7 | 11:19.6763 | 1:34.2330 |
| DNF | 7 | Ryan Suhle (QLD) | Pro |
Provisional Standings – After 2 Rounds
- Harri Jones 318
- Max Vidau 266
- Aaron Love 254
- Ryan Suhle 246
- Sam Shahin 218
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Dramas hit title leader in unpredictable Sydney sprint races
Suhle, Shahin win in dramatic Cup Challenge Saturday
Dramas hit title leader in unpredictable Sydney sprint races
PORSCHE junior Ryan Suhle and TAG Heuer Pro-Am leader Sam Shahin were the big winners from a dramatic day in round two of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge at Sydney Motorsport Park.
A pair of 10-lap races proved to be the most dramatic of the season and saw vastly different results on a near-perfect day in Sydney's west.
Championship leader Max Vidau perfectly converted pole to a race one victory earlier in the day, his fourth in a row and the eleventh straight for Sonic Motor Racing across Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge.
However his day unravelled as he attempted to launch his Bob Jane T-Marts car from pole in race two; a failed clutch seeing him stranded on the line as the 24-car field stormed past.
Though he was recovered to pit lane, the team was unable to return the young South Australian to the race.
In his stead, Aaron Love assumed the race lead and a perfect restart saw him extend an early margin following the Safety Car period called to recover Vidau's stranded car.
However Love would run wide at turn two to be another to surrender the lead, McElrea Racing driver Suhle in the right position to take advantage as he then assumed the top spot.
He then edged away from a furious battle for second place to record his first Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge victory, and the first of the year for the McElrea team.
"It's awesome to come away with a win," Suhle said.
"Our consistency in that race was good and we approached it like a bit of a test session and not worrying about what was behind me. I was able to improve on some things I was working on technically with my driving. It's a really good race and I'm looking forward to coming back tomorrow straight back into the Porsche in the Enduro race."
Sam Shahin won the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class in both 10-lap races on Saturday however his performance in race two arguably the finest of his Porsche career.
Starting sixth, a superb start saw him leap to third in the opening two corners before the Safety Car was called.
He then gained second place when Love came off the road and subsequently spent the remainder of the race defending his position from Porsche Michelin Juniors Harri Jones, Tom Taplin, Christian Pancione and Cameron Crick in a furious five-car battle.
It ensured he not only won his class but finished second outright as well.
"It was an incredibly tough race.
"I felt like I really matured through that drive. I felt really comfortable in the car and it was really rewarding to race against those really very, very talented pros.
"I think that is probably my best ever drive. There's been some incredibly talented drivers in the Pro-Am class that I have been privileged to race against but the Pros are always the yardstick.
"It was a lot of fun – I'm still shaking from some of those laps near the end. I got a taste of real pressure. I'm just so proud I held my own and felt pretty comfortable doing it."
Earlier in the day, Vidau had led from lights to flag to take the first race of the weekend and extend his championship lead over Harri Jones.
Aaron Love scored his best result of the season in second, delivering another Sonic 1-2, while Jones and Suhle were third and fourth respectively.
Cameron Crick finished fifth, despite a five-second penalty for rolling at the start, while Shahin was the best of the TAG Heuer Pro-Am contingent in sixth.
Brett Boulton had led Shahin for a majority of the race however a late spin saw him drop down the order, with a post-race penalty for overtaking under yellows seeing him drop further down the order.
Suhle's win in race two came by just over two seconds, with the next five cars covered by almost the same margin.
Boulton recovered to seventh outright and second in Pro-Am while Ross McGregor, Michael Loccisano and Love completed the top-10.
Love had dropped to fifth following his moment on the restart only to drop further down the order as he survived a wild, 200km/hr moment at turn one a few laps later.
Andrew Goldie won Class B in both races, a sensational performance in race two seeing his older-model 997 GT3 Cup Car finish a strong 12th outright.
The championship-changing day sees the consistent Harri Jones provisionally assume the championship lead following the first five races of the season.
He holds a 12-point margin over teammate Suhle, while Vidau drops to third a further six points further back.
Aaron Love retains fourth in the standings while Shahin is close behind in fifth – comfortably leading TAG Heuer Pro-Am.
A further 60 points are up for grabs tomorrow in the final race of the weekend, the 25-lap Jim Richards Enduro Trophy event.
The race will be streamed live via the Shannons Nationals live stream.
Results – Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race Time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 10 | 20:24.1482 | 1:30.9629 |
| 2 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 10 | 20:26.5454 | 1:30.9184* |
| 3 | 12 | Harri Jones (QLD) | Pro | 10 | 20:27.0037 | 1:31.0084 |
| 4 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (QLD) | Pro | 10 | 20:30.3974 | 1:31.5443 |
| 5 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 10 | 20:35.7497 | 1:31.4047 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 20:40.1659 | 1:32.0294 |
| 7 | 76 | Christian Pancione (VIC) | Pro | 10 | 20:40.7981 | 1:32.0720 |
| 8 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 10 | 20:45.0913 | 1:31.2262 |
| 9 | 55 | Sergio Pires (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 20:57.1926 | 1:33.8546 |
| 10 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:02.9708 | 1:34.3406 |
| 11 | 84 | Brett Boulton (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:04.4188 | 1:32.0686 |
| 12 | 10 | Michael Loccisano (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:06.7153 | 1:34.0098 |
| 13 | 99 | Ross McGregor (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:08.2962 | 1:34.6770 |
| 14 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 10 | 21:08.4569 | 1:34.6744 |
| 15 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:08.9316 | 1:35.0098 |
| 16 | 87 | David Greig (VIC) | Class B | 10 | 21:15.1411 | 1:35.4210 |
| 17 | 131 | Graham Williams (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:16.9807 | 1:35.5700 |
| 18 | 73 | Michael Hovey (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:18.6319 | 1:34.6434 |
| 19 | 21 | Shane Barwood (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:32.7057 | 1:34.4964 |
| 20 | 71 | Nathan Halstead (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 21:35.6682 | 1:36.2857 |
| 21 | 9 | Tony Martin (QLD) | Class B | 10 | 21:48.9346 | 1:38.0979 |
| 22 | 5 | Nathan Murray (VIC) | Class B | 9 | 20:35.1714 | 1:37.1041 |
| 23 | 14 | Matt Belford (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 8 | 20:32.5798 | 1:37.1294 |
| DNF | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 7 | 16:38.1628 | 1:37.0408 |
Results – Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race Time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (QLD) | Pro | 10 | 18:22.2399 | 1:33.1525 |
| 2 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:24.7838 | 1:33.1979 |
| 3 | 12 | Harri Jones (QLD) | Pro | 10 | 18:25.0955 | 1:33.1613 |
| 4 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 10 | 18:25.4331 | 1:33.0765 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (VIC) | Pro | 10 | 18:27.3920 | 1:33.3043 |
| 6 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 10 | 18:27.6958 | 1:33.1818 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:37.6180 | 1:34.1809 |
| 8 | 99 | Ross McGregor (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:45.1372 | 1:35.2251 |
| 9 | 10 | Michael Loccisano (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:45.8067 | 1:35.5611 |
| 10 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 10 | 18:46.2382 | 1:33.0668 |
| 11 | 21 | Shane Barwood (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:47.8807 | 1:35.0692 |
| 12 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 10 | 18:49.9133 | 1:35.8565 |
| 13 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:51.3041 | 1:35.1435 |
| 14 | 73 | Michael Hovey (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 18:57.1888 | 1:34.9047 |
| 15 | 131 | Graham Williams (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 19:03.3111 | 1:37.1067 |
| 16 | 87 | David Greig (VIC) | Class B | 10 | 19:09.4432 | 1:36.9643 |
| 17 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 19:20.3176 | 1:38.3062 |
| 18 | 9 | Tony Martin (QLD) | Class B | 10 | 19:24.9988 | 1:40.6123 |
| 19 | 5 | Nathan Murray (VIC) | Class B | 10 | 19:26.6423 | 1:39.3642 |
| 20 | 71 | Nathan Halstead (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 19:32.1824 | 1:39.2862 |
| 21 | 14 | Matt Belford (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 19:32.3790 | 1:39.1778 |
| DNF | 17 | Marcel Zalloua (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 4 | 9:45.3398 | 2:18.4364 |
| DNF | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | |||
| DNF | 55 | Sergio Pires (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am |
Race Schedule
Sunday, May 19
10:25am Race 3 (25 Laps – Jim Richards Enduro Trophy)
Television and Streaming Schedule
Shannons Nationals Live Stream
www.thenationals.com.au
Race 3 – 10:25am Sunday, May 19
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News
Maiden pole for championship leader in Round 2 qualifying
Vidau, Boulton on top in Sydney qualifying
Maiden pole for championship leader in Round 2 qualifying
MAX VIDAU has charged to his first ever Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Pole position, the Sonic driver edging out his McElrea Racing rival Ryan Suhle to take the top spot in qualifying for round two at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Brett Boulton, meanwhile, narrowly beat TAG Heuer Pro-Am class leader Sam Shahin by 0.02 seconds to grab the top spot in the Cup Challenge 'race within a race' this weekend.
In a session interrupted by a lengthy red-flag – after Sergio Pires lost a wheel and became stranded on the circuit – Vidau banked the fastest time early in the session prior to setting an even quicker 1m30.2281s flyer late to secure pole.
Suhle, who qualified on the second row in the opening round, was second while fellow Porsche Michelin Junior Cameron Crick was a stunning third: rebounding strongly this weekend after completely rebuilding his car between rounds.
Round one runner-up Harri Jones was fourth with the first two rows covered by just 0.5 seconds.
Vidau, who won all three races in Tasmania to kickstart his title chase, said he was pleased to finally break his qualifying duck – having come close on several occasions before.
"I started on the front row multiple times but couldn't quite get the top spot," Vidau said.
"Sonic gave me an awesome car, it was great to drive. We're looking forward to the races.
"The disrupted session changed our plans a little bit but ultimately we went out there and got the job done."
Crick's third-place effort was a significant rebound from his challenging debut at Symmons Plains, where his car was heavily damaged in a start-line crash in the opening race.
Though the GWR Australia team returned him to the circuit for races two and three in Tasmania, a complete rebuild has the local driver in a brand-new machine this weekend – Crick rewarding their efforts by splitting the McElrea drivers.
Round one polesitter Harri Jones was fourth, less than 0.1 seconds behind Crick, having been unable to improve his position on his final flying lap right at the end of the session.
Behind the top four, Christian Pancione was fifth, Aaron Love sixth and Tom Taplin seventh.
Boulton qualified eighth but it was his battle with Shahin for TAG Heuer Pro-Am pole position that was a highlight.
The pair traded fastest laps throughout and the McElrea Racing / Bold Group driver had to dig deep to edge his tiny margin by the end of the session.
"It was awesome – I really love this place and feel like I'm driving well," Boulton said.
"It was a really close battle throughout the session. Sam was the benchmark driver down in Tasmania so hopefully we can have some really good races. He's always good to battle with."
Pires recovered from his early issues to qualify third in class and 10th outright, while Michael Hovey qualified fourth on his return to GT3 Cup Challenge having missed the opening round. Marcel Zalloua and Shane Barwood were next in a tightly-grouped Pro-Am battle.
Andrew Goldie grabbed pole position in Class B, just 0.1 seconds ahead of David Grieg.
Saturday will see the 24-strong field contest a pair of 10-lap races at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Each race will be streamed live on the Shannons Nationals live stream, available via the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge website and social media channels.
Sunday will see the third and final race of round two, the 25-lap Jim Richards endurance trophy race to decide the round.
Race Schedule
Saturday, May 18
11:35am Race 1 (10 Laps)
3:10pm Race 2 (10 Laps)
Sunday, May 19
10:25am Race 3 (25 Laps – Jim Richards Enduro Trophy)
Television and Streaming Schedule
Shannons Nationals Live Stream
www.thenationals.com.au
Race 1 – 11:35am Saturday, May 18
Race 2 – 3:50pm Saturday, May 18
Race 3 – 10:25am Sunday, May 19
Results – Qualifying, Round 2.
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau (SA) | Pro | 1:30.2281 | |
| 2 | 7 | Ryan Suhle (QLD) | Pro | 1:30.6227 | 0:00.3946 |
| 3 | 777 | Cameron Crick (ACT) | Pro | 1:30.7231 | 0:00.4950 |
| 4 | 12 | Harri Jones (QLD) | Pro | 1:30.7981 | 0:00.5700 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione (VIC) | Pro | 1:30.8735 | 0:00.6454 |
| 6 | 78 | Aaron Love (WA) | Pro | 1:31.0701 | 0:00.8420 |
| 7 | 26 | Tom Taplin (SA) | Pro | 1:31.5779 | 0:01.3498 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:31.7196 | 0:01.4915 |
| 9 | 13 | Sam Shahin (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:31.7439 | 0:01.5158 |
| 10 | 55 | Sergio Pires (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:32.1183 | 0:01.8902 |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey (QLD) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:32.8819 | 0:02.6538 |
| 12 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:32.9060 | 0:02.6779 |
| 13 | 21 | Shane Barwood (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.0831 | 0:02.8550 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.7030 | 0:03.4749 |
| 15 | 10 | Michael Loccisano (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:33.8994 | 0:03.6713 |
| 16 | 99 | Ross McGregor (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:34.6384 | 0:04.4103 |
| 17 | 22 | Andrew Goldie (WA) | Class B | 1:34.7086 | 0:04.4805 |
| 18 | 14 | Matt Belford (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:34.7849 | 0:04.5568 |
| 19 | 87 | David Greig (VIC) | Class B | 1:34.8782 | 0:04.6501 |
| 20 | 131 | Graham Williams (VIC) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:35.2812 | 0:05.0531 |
| 21 | 93 | Marty Ewer (SA) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:36.7469 | 0:06.5188 |
| 22 | 5 | Nathan Murray (VIC) | Class B | 1:37.0568 | 0:06.8287 |
| 23 | 71 | Nathan Halstead (NSW) | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 1:38.6543 | 0:08.4262 |
| 24 | 9 | Tony Martin (QLD) | Class B | 1:39.0228 | 0:08.7947 |
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News
23-car field confirmed as Pro, TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Class B battles grow
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge battle heads to Sydney
23-car field confirmed as Pro, TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Class B battles grow
THE FIGHT for the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge will continue at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, the series to feature a strong 23-car field as title battles intensify in the second round of the 2019 series.
While the seven Porsche Michelin Junior drivers continue to fight for Professional class honours, both the TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Class B categories will also take another step up in competitiveness.
Fresh from winning the opening round at Symmons Plains Raceway early last month, South Australian teenager Max Vidau will head to the 3.9km Sydney circuit filled with confidence aboard his Sonic Motor Racing Porsche 991 GT3 Cup Car.
Vidau narrowly missed pole position at the Tasmanian circuit however stormed to three consecutive victories to open his title account in style.
As a result of his Tasmanian sweep, Vidau edged out a 18-point margin over runner-up Harri Jones, who scored pole position and finished second in each race at Round 1.
The open-wheel champion and his McElrea Racing teammate, Ryan Suhle, completed the podium in the opening round.
Aaron Love, the younger brother of recent Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia round winner Jordan, finished fourth in Tasmania while Tom Taplin will look to build on his consistent opening round, the young Adelaide teenager finishing sixth overall in the series opener.
Christian Pancione and Cameron Crick each rebounded from incidents to show their potential in Tasmania and will look forward to trouble free weekends in Sydney.
Fifth outright and first in TAG Heuer Pro-Am was Sam Shahin, who will continue to do 'double duties' as he splits his 2019 campaign between Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge.
As well as winning all three races in Pro-Am, Shahin recorded finishes of sixth, sixth and fifth outright in the opening round and will be hoping to mix it with the young-guns at the front of the field once again this weekend.
The experienced Ross McGregor sits second in Pro-Am while Sergio Pires completed a successful step from Class B in 2018 to finish third in the opening round this year.
After being involved in a race one start-line incident in Tasmania, Brett Boulton charged his way through to finish fourth overall in the opening round thanks to a pair of second-placed finishes in races two and three, respectively.
Sydneysider Marcel Zalloua finished fifth with continual improvement across each race.
The TAG Heuer Pro-Am battle is anticipated to be just as competitive as the outright fight thanks to the addition of several key runners this weekend.
Michael Hovey, who finished third in the class last season, makes his first start of the season while Adelaide racer Marty Ewer and Victorian Matt Belford make their debuts this weekend.
David Grieg will look to defend his class lead in Class B following a successful opening round, however is expected to fact stiff competition from Tony Martin, Nathan Murray and Andrew Goldie this weekend.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge will tackle three races at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.
For the first time all three races will be shown live on the Shannons Nationals live stream which extends to include coverage of Saturday races for the first time.
Following practice and qualifying on Friday, the series will contest two sprint races on Saturday prior to the second round of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy to be contested over 25-laps on Sunday.
Race Schedule
Friday, May 17
12:00pm Practice 1 (60 Minutes)
3:40pm Qualifying (30 Minutes)
Saturday, May 18
11:35am Race 1 (10 Laps)
3:10pm Race 2 (10 Laps)
Sunday, May 19
10:25am Race 3 (25 Laps – Jim Richards Enduro Trophy)
Television and Streaming Schedule
Shannons Nationals Live Stream
www.thenationals.com.au
Race 1 – 11:35am Saturday, May 18
Race 2 – 3:50pm Saturday, May 18
Race 3 – 10:25am Sunday, May 19
Entry List
| No. | DRIVER | STATE | CLASS | SPONSOR NAME |
| 5 | Nathan Murray | VIC | Class B | Garage 1 |
| 7 | Ryan Shule | QLD | Pro | Ryan Suhle Racing – Ray White |
| 9 | Tony Martin | QLD | Class B | TM Motorsport / The Triffid Bar. Venue |
| 10 | Michael Loccisano | VIC | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Hallmarc |
| 12 | Harri Jones | QLD | Pro | Heli Mods |
| 13 | Sam Shahin | SA | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | The Bend/HTFU |
| 14 | Matt Belford | VIC | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | ID Land |
| 17 | Marcel Zalloua | NSW | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Valmont Racing |
| 21 | Shane Barwood | VIC | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Melbourne Orthopaedic Group |
| 22 | Andrew Goldie | WA | Class B | Woodford Trailers |
| 26 | Tom Taplin | SA | Pro | Taplin Real Estate |
| 29 | Rob Woods | NSW | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | GWR/Commercial Interior Projects |
| 55 | Sergio Pires | NSW | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Valmont Racing |
| 73 | Michael Hovey | QLD | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Triffid Bar + Venue |
| 76 | Christian Pancione | VIC | Pro | VCM Performance |
| 77 | Max Vidau | SA | Pro | Sonic Motor Racing / |
| 78 | Aaron Love | WA | Pro | Sonic Motor Racing / SRG Global |
| 84 | Brett Boulton | QLD | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Bold Living |
| 87 | David Grieg | VIC | Class B | Daikin Air Conditioning / DW Motorsport |
| 93 | Marty Ewer | SA | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Dr Marty Ewer |
| 99 | Ross McGregor | VIC | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Southern Star Windows P/L |
| 131 | Graham Williams | VIC | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | Sonic Motor Racing / Williams Racing |
| 777 | Cameron Crick | NSW | Pro | GWR/Plus Fitness Racing |
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News
South Australians sweep Symmons Plains round
Vidau and Shahin top Tasmanian season opener
South Australians sweep Symmons Plains round
South Australian Max Vidau has clinched an impressive clean sweep of race wins at Symmons Plains Raceway to depart the opening 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round with the championship lead, while Sam Shahin continued his TAG Heuer Pro-Am dominance to claim three race wins at his first visit to the Tasmanian circuit.
After two race victories on Saturday, Vidau was again the best from the start line to lead into the opening corner. He then held the lead until a mid-race safety car was called to recover Shane Barwood's car from the inside of the turn four hairpin.
Then, as the Porsche field trailed the safety car, rain started to fall on Symmons Plains. The change in weather conditions forced an extended safety car period which ultimately ran until the chequered flag. Vidau therefore secured a perfect start to his 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge season to start his second year in the series.
"It's the best way to start the season. The team gave me an awesome car throughout the weekend and it's a really positive way to leave Symmons Plains," said Vidau.
"Coming to the round I expected strong results but three from three is absolutely perfect. I'm very happy with it and I'm now looking to the next round in Sydney. I've been there before and I have a bit of experience there so hopefully I can replicate the same result I had here in Tasmania."
Harri Jones was the best of the series rookies, placing second in each of the three GT3 Cup Challenge races during the season opener with teammate Ryan Suhle placing third in each despite pressure from Aaron Love in Sunday's final race.
Sam Shahin was untouchable in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class. The Carrera Cup racer followed his two race wins on Saturday with another class race win on Sunday, which was coupled with an impressive five place outright.
"I'm absolutely over the moon. That last race was really tough. I had contact on lap one, turn one and I had a very interesting car to drive with the steering wheel pointing at 30 degrees. They made the right call to extend the safety car period with the weather conditions. I'm very relieved and very thrilled," said Shahin.
Ross McGregor placed second for the round in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class in his 30th GT3 Cup Challenge round start; a third place and two fourth-place finishes proving consistency was key to his round success. Sergio Pires then placed third for the round in his TAG Heuer Pro-Am class debut.
While Andrew Goldie was the best of the Class B runners in the final race, former Class B champion David Greig, who placed third in race three, won the round from Tony Martin and debutant Nathan Murray.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will next line up for round two of the 2019 championship at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 17-19, 2019.
Results: Race 3
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 22 | 26:50.9504 | 0:53.2112 |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones | Pro | 22 | 26:51.6317 | 0:53.2141 |
| 3 | 7 | Ryan Suhle | Pro | 22 | 26:52.1634 | 0:53.1912 |
| 4 | 78 | Aaron Love | Pro | 22 | 26:53.0734 | 0:53.3861 |
| 5 | 13 | Sam Shahin | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 26:54.2581 | 0:53.8027 |
| 6 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 22 | 26:55.4771 | 0:54.0877 |
| 7 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Pro | 22 | 26:56.3233 | 0:53.4232 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 26:57.2568 | 0:54.7257 |
| 9 | 99 | Ross McGregor | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 26:58.0506 | 0:54.8833 |
| 10 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 26:59.3887 | 0:55.1150 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 27:00.2150 | 0:55.6035 |
| 12 | 131 | Graham Williams | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 27:00.9436 | 0:55.7657 |
| 13 | 55 | Sergio Pires | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 27:02.0585 | 0:54.7921 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 27:03.2859 | 0:55.7319 |
| 15 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 22 | 27:03.6768 | 0:55.5974 |
| 16 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 22 | 27:04.2185 | 0:55.4921 |
| 17 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 22 | 27:04.8739 | 0:56.4916 |
| 18 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 21 | 26:52.7015 | 0:57.5402 |
| 19 | 5 | Nathan Murray | Class B | 21 | 26:53.6908 | 0:56.8269 |
| 20 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 26:55.0710 | 0:57.7953 |
| 21 | 777 | Cameron Crick | Pro | 20 | 27:05.4380 | 0:54.0884 |
| DNF | 21 | Shane Barwood | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 10 | 9:34.3689 | 0:55.4587 |
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News
South Australians dominate opening two races
Vidau and Shahin sweep Saturday races
South Australians dominate opening two races
Michelin Junior Max Vidau has had the perfect start to his 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia campaign with two race wins from the first two races of 2019 at Symmons Plains Raceway, while Sam Shahin continued his Friday form with a clean sweep of Saturday race wins in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class.
Vidau started the day with an impressive race one performance – following a red flag and race restart. The first attempt of a race start saw Cameron Crick fail to move from the start line. Tom Taplin narrowly missed the stationary #777 Porsche though Brett Boulton wasn't so lucky, making heavy contact with Crick. While both drivers were unscathed, their Porsches received substantial damage and were unable to continue.
Vidau led pole-sitter Harri Jones into the opening corner on the restart then managed to pull away to ultimately claim a three-second victory from Jones in the shortened 22-lap race to take an early lead in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. Ryan Suhle placed third from Aaron Love and Christian Pancione.
Sam Shahin continued to be the class of the TAG Heuer Pro-Am field, taking sixth outright and first in class in race one, finishing 25 seconds ahead of his closest class rival Sergio Pires, with Ross McGregor third in class in his 30th round start.
Andrew Goldie capitalised on a late-race accident from Emanuel Palyaris to claim the Class B race win from David Greig and Tony Martin.
Vidau again dominated in race two, leading from the start and effectively navigating the lapped traffic to take a five-second victory from Jones and Suhle.
"It's the perfect way to start the season – two race wins here in Tasmania. I hoped for a strong start to the season and it's great to start this way having never seen this place before," said Vidau.
"I struggled in practice and I couldn't get into a rhythm with all the traffic, but our race pace was great and I have managed to navigate the traffic really well. Obviously in practice the new guys were pretty quick but it's a different story in racing, which is something I worked out pretty quickly last year. We're working hard and winning races so I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
Much like Vidau's impressive form at the front, fellow South Australian Shahin continued at the head of TAG Heuer Pro-Am. Once again, Shahin was racing among the tail end of the Pro field and placed sixth outright ahead of Crick and Boulton, who both came from the rear of the field after their race one start-line accident to place seventh and eighth, respectively, in race two.
"I'm just over the moon. GT3 Cup Challenge is just a wonderful category and has always produced great close racing. There's pure class and talent throughout the field and I'm thrilled to be in the company of such great racers with great futures in front of them," said Shahin.
"I love Tasmania now. This is my first time at Symmons Plains; it's a technical little track with absolutely no room for even the smallest error. It's been a great, sunny, beautiful Tasmanian weekend so far and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
While Goldie was the best of Class B in race one, a post-race two penalty for being underweight handed David Greig the class win in race two from Emanuel Palyaris, Tony Martin and Nathan Murray.
Saturday's competition saw Matt Kingsley's nine-year-old race lap record fall to dual race winner Vidau with the South Australian's best race two lap of 0:53.0270secs.
One race remains for the opening Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round of the season, to be held at 12:50pm on Sunday, which can be viewed live on both Fox Sports 506 and streaming service Kayo.
Race Schedule
Sunday April 07, 2019
12:50pm Race 3 (28 laps)
Television and Streaming Schedule (local time)
Channel: Fox Sports 506 & Kayo
Race 3 – 12:50pm, Sunday April 07
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 22 | 19:44.6914 | 0:53.2327* |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones | Pro | 22 | 19:47.7717 | 0:53.2906 |
| 3 | 7 | Ryan Suhle | Pro | 22 | 19:49.3324 | 0:53.4979 |
| 4 | 78 | Aaron Love | Pro | 22 | 19:53.4927 | 0:53.6118 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Pro | 22 | 19:53.7714 | 0:53.4629 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 19:58.1604 | 0:53.5286 |
| 7 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 22 | 20:10.4475 | 0:54.1001 |
| 8 | 55 | Sergio Pires | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:23.7373 | 0:54.7113 |
| 9 | 99 | Ross McGregor | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:27.9578 | 0:54.8081 |
| 10 | 131 | Graham Williams | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:41.6394 | 0:55.0479 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 19:46.4614 | 0:55.0540 |
| 12 | 29 | Rob Woods | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 19:51.7661 | 0:55.2479 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 21 | 20:01.6095 | 0:55.9683 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:02.4358 | 0:54.8765 |
| 15 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 21 | 20:07.6894 | 0:55.8221 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:26.6543 | 0:55.0599 |
| 17 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:29.7609 | 0:56.4450 |
| 18 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 21 | 20:38.6629 | 0:56.7159 |
| 19 | 5 | Nathan Murray | Class B | 20 | 20:15.5556 | 0:57.6368 |
| DNF | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 18 | 16:57.4155 | 0:54.8465 |
| DNF | 777 | Cameron Crick | Pro | |||
| DNF | 84 | Brett Boulton | TAG Heuer Pro-Am |
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 28 | 25:02.5349 | 0:53.0270* |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones | Pro | 28 | 25:07.7437 | 0:53.1891 |
| 3 | 7 | Ryan Suhle | Pro | 28 | 25:10.4482 | 0:53.1731 |
| 4 | 78 | Aaron Love | Pro | 28 | 25:11.7351 | 0:53.2846 |
| 5 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 28 | 25:19.1658 | 0:53.4722 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 28 | 25:22.9470 | 0:53.4436 |
| 7 | 777 | Cameron Crick | Pro | 28 | 25:41.5986 | 0:53.6761 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 28 | 25:46.0971 | 0:54.0080 |
| 9 | 55 | Sergio Pires | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 28 | 25:46.8630 | 0:54.2770 |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:04.8999 | 0:54.3322 |
| 11 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:07.2407 | 0:54.6454 |
| 12 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:07.4165 | 0:54.8125 |
| 13 | 131 | Graham Williams | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:09.1814 | 0:54.9065 |
| 14 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Pro | 27 | 25:15.7461 | 0:53.3327 |
| 15 | 21 | Shane Barwood | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:17.2487 | 0:55.0389 |
| 16 | 29 | Rob Woods | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 27 | 25:20.5029 | 0:55.0258 |
| 17 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 27 | 25:31.4176 | 0:55.5018 |
| 18 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 27 | 25:56.7016 | 0:55.4668 |
| 19 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 26 | 25:14.8372 | 0:56.4201 |
| 20 | 5 | Nathan Murray | Class B | 26 | 25:15.5700 | 0:56.6076 |
| 21 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 26 | 25:16.6599 | 0:56.6604 |
| EXC | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 27 | 25:18.9860 | 0:55.4373 |
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News
Eventful opening race at Symmons Plains Raceway
Vidau and Shahin win shortened race one
Eventful opening race at Symmons Plains Raceway
Max Vidau has taken victory in the opening race of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season at Symmons Plains Raceway while Sam Shahin continued his TAG Heuer Pro-Am dominance.
The first attempt of a race start saw Cameron Crick fail to move from the start line. Tom Taplin narrowly missed the stationary #777 Porsche though Brett Boulton wasn't so lucky, making heavy contact with Crick. While both drivers were unscathed, their Porsches received substantial damage and were unable to continue.
The race was red flagged and subsequently restarted, with Vidau leading pole-sitter Harri Jones into the opening corner. Vidau then managed to pull away to ultimately claim a three-second victory from Jones in the shortened 22-lap race. Ryan Suhle placed third from Aaron Love and Christian Pancione.
Sam Shahin continued as the class of the TAG Heuer Pro-Am field, taking sixth outright and first in class, finishing 25 seconds ahead of his closest class rival Sergio Pires, with Ross McGregor third in class in his 30th round start.
Andrew Goldie capitalised on a late-race accident of Emanuel Palyaris to claim the Class B race win from David Greig and Tony Martin.
The race also saw Matt Kingsley's nine-year-old race lap record fall to race winner Max Vidau with the South Australian's lap five performance of 0:53.2327.
Race two will be held at 3:25pm later today, with the final race of the season opener on Sunday, both of which can be viewed live on both Fox Sports 506 and streaming service Kayo.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 06, 2019
3:25pm Race 2 (28 Laps)
Sunday April 07, 2019
12:50pm Race 3 (28 laps)
Television and Streaming Schedule (local time)
Channel: Fox Sports 506 & Kayo
Race 2 – 3:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 3 – 12:50pm, Sunday April 07
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 22 | 19:44.6914 | 0:53.2327* |
| 2 | 12 | Harri Jones | Pro | 22 | 19:47.7717 | 0:53.2906 |
| 3 | 7 | Ryan Suhle | Pro | 22 | 19:49.3324 | 0:53.4979 |
| 4 | 78 | Aaron Love | Pro | 22 | 19:53.4927 | 0:53.6118 |
| 5 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Pro | 22 | 19:53.7714 | 0:53.4629 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 19:58.1604 | 0:53.5286 |
| 7 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 22 | 20:10.4475 | 0:54.1001 |
| 8 | 55 | Sergio Pires | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:23.7373 | 0:54.7113 |
| 9 | 99 | Ross McGregor | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:27.9578 | 0:54.8081 |
| 10 | 131 | Graham Williams | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 22 | 20:41.6394 | 0:55.0479 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 19:46.4614 | 0:55.0540 |
| 12 | 29 | Rob Woods | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 19:51.7661 | 0:55.2479 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 21 | 20:01.6095 | 0:55.9683 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:02.4358 | 0:54.8765 |
| 15 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 21 | 20:07.6894 | 0:55.8221 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:26.6543 | 0:55.0599 |
| 17 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 21 | 20:29.7609 | 0:56.4450 |
| 18 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 21 | 20:38.6629 | 0:56.7159 |
| 19 | 5 | Nathan Murray | Class B | 20 | 20:15.5556 | 0:57.6368 |
| DNF | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 18 | 16:57.4155 | 0:54.8465 |
| DNF | 777 | Cameron Crick | Pro | |||
| DNF | 84 | Brett Boulton | TAG Heuer Pro-Am |
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News
Newcomer tops first qualifying session of the season
Jones and Shahin top Tasmania qualifying
Newcomer tops first qualifying session of the season
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia debutant Harri Jones is the first pole-sitter of the 2019 season, edging out returning racer Max Vidau for the sessions' top time.
Jones was among the front-runners throughout the 20-minute session and posted his best time on his 18th qualifying lap with a time of 0:52.6959, finishing the session just 0:00.0612 ahead of Vidau, who enters his second season in the series.
Behind Vidau in the session was fellow returning GT3 Cup Challenge driver Christian Pancione from debutants Ryan Suhle and Aaron Love.
Sam Shahin was impressive in his first time at Symmons Plains Raceway, holding the top outright position in qualifying during the final stages of the session, ultimately placing sixth outright and topping the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class. Sergio Pires was the next best Pro-Am driver from Ross McGregor, Brett Boulton and Marcel Zalloua.
Meanwhile Emanuel Palyaris will start race one from the head of the Class B field ahead of David Greig, Andrew Goldie, Jonathan Gliksten, Nathan Murray and Tony Martin.
The grid is now set for the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season, to be held today at 12:25pm. Race two will then be held at 3:25pm later in the day ahead of Sunday's race three.
All three races of the opening round of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season can be viewed live on both Fox Sports 506 and streaming service Kayo.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 06, 2019
9:20am Qualifying (20 minutes)
12:25pm Race 1 (38 laps)
3:25pm Race 2 (28 Laps)
Sunday April 07, 2019
12:50pm Race 3 (28 laps)
Television and Streaming Schedule (local time)
Channel: Fox Sports 506 & Kayo
Qualifying – 9:20am, Saturday April 06
Race 1 – 12:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 2 – 3:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 3 – 12:50pm, Sunday April 07
Qualifying times
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Harri Jones | Pro | 0:52.6959 | |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 0:52.7571 | 0:00.0612 |
| 3 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Pro | 0:52.8884 | 0:00.1925 |
| 4 | 7 | Ryan Suhle | Pro | 0:52.9581 | 0:00.2622 |
| 5 | 78 | Aaron Love | Pro | 0:53.0513 | 0:00.3554 |
| 6 | 13 | Sam Shahin | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:53.3283 | 0:00.6324 |
| 7 | 777 | Cameron Crick | Pro | 0:53.8268 | 0:01.1309 |
| 8 | 55 | Sergio Pires | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:54.1407 | 0:01.4448 |
| 9 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 0:54.1710 | 0:01.4751 |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:54.2583 | 0:01.5624 |
| 11 | 84 | Brett Boulton | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:54.3601 | 0:01.6642 |
| 12 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:54.6206 | 0:01.9247 |
| 13 | 131 | Graham Williams | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:54.6864 | 0:01.9905 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:55.0645 | 0:02.3686 |
| 15 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:55.0671 | 0:02.3712 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:55.0906 | 0:02.3947 |
| 17 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 0:55.2567 | 0:02.5608 |
| 18 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 0:55.6737 | 0:02.9778 |
| 19 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 0:56.2362 | 0:03.5403 |
| 20 | 3 | Jonathan Gliksten | TAG Heuer Pro-Am | 0:56.5021 | 0:03.8062 |
| 21 | 5 | Nathan Murray | Class B | 0:56.7906 | 0:04.0947 |
| 22 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 0:57.2294 | 0:04.5335 |
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News
Ryan Suhle and Sam Shahin top Symmons Plains practice
Tight at the top for series' Tasmanian return
Ryan Suhle and Sam Shahin top Symmons Plains practice
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has started its 2019 season with a strong return to Symmons Plains Raceway, with Ryan Suhle and Sam Shahin setting the practice pace at the Tasmanian circuit.
Despite the threat of rain, the two Friday practice sessions were held in dry conditions – a benefit for the 22 Porsche racers, many entering the round with limited experience on the 2.41km layout.
Pace-setter Suhle was one of the few GT3 Cup Challenge drivers with previous Symmons Plains experience having raced at the Tasmanian circuit last season in the Australian Formula 4 series. Suhle's best practice two lap of 52.9376secs was just 0.0005secs quicker than Aaron Love's lap of 52.9381 set in the opening practice session.
"I definitely came here with the intention of being up the front of the field and it was fantastic to come away with the quickest time of the day in the second practice session," said Suhle.
"Having done a bit of simulator work and having been here before in Formula 4 I felt really confident coming here as there hasn't been too many changes to the track. Today was just about adapting to the car – compared to the F4 – which went very well."
Behind Suhle and Love on the combined practice timesheet was reigning Class B champion Christian Pancione, Max Vidau and Australian Formula 3 Champion Harri Jones in fifth.
Leading the way in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am was Sam Shahin, who topped both sessions in class and was rivalling the pace of the Pro drivers throughout Friday, ultimately finishing with the sixth best outright time of the day.
"I'm thrilled and surprised to top both sessions in class, to be honest. I've never been to this race track before and it felt quite intimidating doing the track walk this morning at 6:30am in the dark. I'm therefore over the moon that today went so well," said Shahin.
"It's very technical, there's not a lot of room for mistakes and it's a big Porsche field this weekend so everyone has to behave. Qualifying will be very interesting, trying to get a clean lap in a big field on such a short track.
"I'm really looking forward to the longer race one. I love long races; I'm one of the older drivers here and I'm like a diesel engine – I take a while to warm up but keep on going. Hopefully we have some clean racing and put on a good show."
Brett Boulton was the next best in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class from Sergio Pires and Ross McGregor in the Victorian's 30th GT3 Cup Challenge round start.
Meanwhile, Emanuel Palyaris was the best of the Class B runners from former class champion David Greig, Nathan Murray, Andrew Goldie and Tony Martin.
The GT3 Cup Challenge race lap record will likely fall this weekend. The best race lap of 54.512secs was set by Matt Kingsley in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 996) during the series' last Symmons Plains Raceway visit in 2010, with Friday's pace indicating that the nine-year record will likely be eclipsed.
Qualifying will be held on Saturday morning, which will set the grid for the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season at 12:25pm. Race two will then be held at 3:25pm later on Saturday before Sunday's race three.
All remaining sessions from the opening round of the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season can be viewed live on both Fox Sports 506 and streaming service Kayo.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 06, 2019
9:20am Qualifying (20 minutes)
12:25pm Race 1 (38 laps)
3:25pm Race 2 (28 Laps)
Sunday April 07, 2019
12:50pm Race 3 (28 laps)
Television and Streaming Schedule (local time)
Channel: Fox Sports 506 & Kayo
Qualifying – 9:20am, Saturday April 06
Race 1 – 12:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 2 – 3:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 3 – 12:50pm, Sunday April 07
Combined Practice Times (P1 & P2)
1. #7 Ryan Suhle (Pro) 0:52.9376)
2. #78 Aaron Love (Pro) 0:52.9381 (-0:00.0005)
3. #76 Christian Pancione (Pro) 0:52.9900 (-0:00.0524)
4. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) 0:53.0007 (-0:00.0631)
5. #12 Harri Jones (Pro) 0:53.0940 (-0:00.1564)
6. #13 Sam Shahin (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:53.2835 (-0:00.3459)
7. #777 Cameron Crick (Pro) 0:53.5452 (-0:00.6076)
8. #26 Tom Taplin (Pro) 0:53.6224 (-0:00.6848)
9. #84 Brett Boulton (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.0229 (-0:01.0853)
10. #55 Sergio Pires (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.1643 (-0:01.2267)
11. #99 Ross McGregor (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.3706 (-0:01.4330)
12. #131 Graham Williams (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.6503 (-0:01.7127)
13. #10 Michael Loccisano (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.9006 (-0:01.9630)
14. #29 Rob Woods (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:54.9463 (-0:02.0087)
15. #17 Marcel Zalloua (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) (-0:55.3633 0:02.4257)
16. #91 Emanuel Palyaris (Class B) 0:55.4177 (-0:02.4801)
17. #87 David Greig (Class B) 0:55.4893 (-0:02.5517)
18. #21 Shane Barwood (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:55.8899 (-0:02.9523)
19. #5 Nathan Murray (Class B) 0:56.1774 (-0:03.2398)
20. #3 Jonathan Gliksten (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) 0:57.0060 (-0:04.0684)
21. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) 0:57.6478 (-0:04.7102)
22. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) 0:58.4050 (-0:05.4674)
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News
Series returns to Symmons Plains after nine years
GT3 Cup Challenge returns to Tasmania on Supercars stage
Series returns to Symmons Plains after nine years
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia championship this weekend returns to Tasmania for the first time in nine years, starting the 2019 season at its first-ever Supercars Championship event.
The Porsche one-make series has only twice raced at Symmons Plains Raceway, once in its debut season in 2008 and again two years later for round two of the 2010 season. Now, almost a decade later, GT3 Cup Challenge will feature a 22-strong field, including seven Michelin Juniors, on the largest motor racing stage the series has experienced.
GT3 Cup Challenge will retain its three-class structure – Pro, TAG Heuer Pro-Am and Class B – for the 2019 season, with the Pro class exclusively consisting of seven Michelin Juniors. Max Vidau and Tom Taplin retain their 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991.1) machinery for 2019 while Class B champion Christian Pancione steps up to the outright-contending 911 race car. There are also an additional four newcomers to the Pro class – Australian Formula 3 Champion Harri Jones, Formula 4 graduates Ryan Suhle and Aaron Love and former Toyota 86 Racing Series driver Cameron Crick.
Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has secured naming rights for the TAG Heuer Pro-Am, the best represented class in the field. Several Carrera Cup racers, past and present, will return for the 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge season opener in Tasmania including Sam Shahin, Graham Williams and Michael Loccisano. The class will also see the return of 2018 Pro-Am runner-up Brett Boulton, last season's Winton round winner Marcel Zalloua and other Pro-Am racers Rob Woods, Shane Barwood, Jonathan Gliksten and Sergio Pires, who moves up from his Class B Porsche. Meanwhile Ross McGregor will start his 30th GT3 Cup Challenge round in Tasmania, which after this weekend, will leave the TAG Heuer Pro-Am driver just four events shy of John Goodacre's record 34 round starts.
Five drivers will complete the 22-car field in Class B, all racing the 997-series 911 GT3 Cup car. David Greig, the 2017 Class B champion, will be joined in the class by Tony Martin, Andrew Goldie, Emanuel Palyaris and series debutant Nathan Murray.
The start of the 12th GT3 Cup challenge season will also feature the most comprehensive television coverage ever seen by the series. All sessions from Friday afternoon – including practice two, qualifying and all three races – will be broadcast live across both Fox Sports 506 and streaming service Kayo.
The popular Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will continue in 2019, this season consisting of five long-distance races held across the first five events of the season, including the 40-lap race one at Symmons Plains Raceway.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will first hit the track on Friday morning for practice one, followed by practice two later on Friday. Saturday will feature qualifying and the opening two races of the season before the final race of the Tasmanian season opener on Sunday, held just before the final Supercars Championship race of the weekend.
Race Schedule
Friday April 05, 2019
9:10am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
1:05pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday April 06, 2019
9:20am Qualifying (20 minutes)
12:25pm Race 1 (40 laps)
3:25pm Race 2 (29 Laps)
Sunday April 07, 2019
12:50pm Race 3 (29 laps)
Television and Streaming Schedule
Channel: Fox Sports 506 & Kayo
Practice 2 – 1:05pm, Friday April 05
Qualifying – 9:20am, Saturday April 06
Race 1 – 12:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 2 – 3:25pm, Saturday April 06
Race 3 – 12:50pm, Sunday April 07
Entry List
1. #3 Jonathan Gliksten (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Cure FA
2. #5 Nathan Murray (Class B) Garage 1
3. #7 Ryan Suhle (Pro) Ryan Suhle Racing/Ray White
4. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) TM Motorsport/The Triffid Bar + Venue
5. #10 Michael Loccisano (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Hallmarc
6. #12 Harri Jones (Pro) Heli Mods
7. #13 Sam Shahin (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) htfu/The Bend Motorsport Park
8. #17 Marcel Zalloua (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Valmont Racing
9. #21 Shane Barwood (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
10. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
11. #26 Tom Taplin (Pro) Taplin Real Estate
12. #29 Rob Woods (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) GWR/Commercial Interior Projects
13. #55 Sergio Pires (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Valmont Racing
14. #76 Christian Pancione (Pro) VCM Performance
15. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
16. #78 Aaron Love (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing/SRG Global
17. #84 Brett Boulton (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Bold Living
18. #87 David Greig (Class B) Daikin Air Conditioning/DW Motorsport
19. #91 Emanuel Palyaris (Class B) Tempur/Synaco Global Recruitment
20. #99 Ross McGregor (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
21. #131 Graham Williams (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) Sonic/Williams Racing
22. #777 Cameron Crick (Pro) GWR/Plus Fitness Racing
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News
Porsche series boasts impressive young talent
Seven Michelin Juniors confirmed for GT3 Cup Challenge
Porsche series boasts impressive young talent
Young aspiring racers have again turned to Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia as a launch pad for their motor racing careers, with the series to feature seven Michelin Juniors for the 2019 season.
GT3 Cup Challenge helped launch the careers of both Porsche Young Professional Matt Campbell and Porsche Junior Jaxon Evans, who contested one and two seasons of the second-tier Porsche one-make series, respectively. GT3 Cup Challenge also boasts other successful alumni including 2017 champion and Carrera Cup front-runner Jordan Love, Super2 Series racer Dylan O'Keeffe, Carrera Cup race and round winner Michael Almond and Carrera Cup up-and-comer Cooper Murray.
Three of the 2019 Michelin Juniors in GT3 Cup Challenge return for a second season – reigning Class B champion Christian Pancione will move into a 991-series 911 GT3 Cup car, joining Max Vidau, who returns to the Pro class having placed third in the 2018 standings. Tom Taplin also returns for his second year in the series, the South Australian switched from Class B machinery to a 991-series race car halfway through 2018.
Four other drivers have joined the series, starting from next weekend's Tasmanian round at Symmons Plains Raceway, three of which bring significant open wheel experience. Reigning Australian Formula 3 champion Harri Jones joins McElrea Racing alongside former Formula 4 racer Ryan Suhle. Aaron Love also joins GT3 Cup Challenge with Formula 4 experience and will look to emulate the career progression of his brother, Jordan Love, who currently sits second in the Carrera Cup standings.
Cameron Crick brings different racing expertise to the series having raced in the Toyota 86 Racing Series and will couple his Porsche duties with a 2019 campaign in SuperUtes.
The seven Michelin Juniors will be racing for a prize pool throughout the season. For each round, the winning Michelin Junior will receive one round free entry, while the top three Michelin Juniors from each round will receive one set of Michelin race tyres. All Michelin Juniors will also have access to training and mentorship throughout the season.
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager Troy Bundy is thrilled to welcome the largest representation of Michelin Junior drivers in an Australian Porsche one-make series.
"Young drivers are increasingly seeing GT3 Cup Challenge as an effective series to launch their racing careers – and for good reason. We've seen the rise of Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid into professional international careers and many other young drivers are looking to replicate this proven pathway, starting with a GT3 Cup Challenge campaign," said Bundy.
"We're very proud of Matt and Jaxon's successful rise through Porsche's ranks onto international careers as well as those who are currently climbing the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, including the likes of Jordan Love and Cooper Murray, who used GT3 Cup Challenge as a development series for their Carrera Cup campaigns. Therefore we're pleased to have Christian Pancione, Tom Taplin and Max Vidau continue in GT3 Cup Challenge while also welcoming Cameron Crick, Harri Jones, Aaron Love and Ryan Suhle to GT3 Cup Challenge as Michelin Juniors for this season.
"Michelin Australia has been a tremendous support for young Porsche drivers in Australia through the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia and it's pleasing to see such a strong group of drivers as part of this programme in 2019."
The seven-strong Michelin Junior team in GT3 Cup Challenge comes in addition to the four Michelin Juniors racing in Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia, which includes Cameron Hill, Jordan Love, Thomas Maxwell and Cooper Murray.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia launches its 2019 season next weekend at Symmons Plains Raceway for the Tasmania SuperSprint on April 5-7.
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Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia
Porsche and Michelin announce new-look 2019 Junior Programme
Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia
Tyre prizes, entry fees and a trip to Germany… young Australian-based Porsche drivers will this season race for a substantial $300,000 prize pool as part of a new-look Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia in 2019.
Porsche Cars Australia and Michelin Australia have again partnered to deliver one of Australia's most comprehensive and successful driver development programmes spanning across both Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia one-make sports car championships.
Instead of nominating a select few Michelin Juniors at the start of the season, the new format allows all drivers who meet the selection criteria to race for a variety of prizes at each round. Across both series, each Michelin Junior round winner will receive free entry for the subsequent round, while the top three placed Michelin Juniors for each round will receive a free set of Michelin race tyres. All Michelin Juniors will also be invited to participate in a driver education and training course in March.
The programme will now also feature a Michelin Super Round, to be held at the Australian Grand Prix, from which the round-winning Michelin Junior will receive a trip to Germany to attend the Formula E Berlin E-Prix on May 25.
The Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout will continue to play a crucial role; the best placed Michelin Junior in Carrera Cup at the time of nomination for the Shootout will be the series' selection for the 2019 driver evaluation event, giving the selected Michelin Junior the chance to follow in Matt Campbell's and Jaxon Evan's wheel tracks to Europe.
The 2019 Michelin Junior winner from Carrera Cup will also receive a trip to Germany in December to attend the 2019 Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions in Weissach.
"The Porsche Michelin Junior Programme is an important element of Porsche Cars Australia's motor racing programme and we're therefore thrilled to announce this new-look format for 2019," said Troy Bundy, Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager.
"Our local Porsche Motorsport Pyramid has proven success, initially with Matt Campbell establishing his professional racing career in Europe. Then 2018 Michelin Junior Jaxon Evans followed two years later upon winning the international Junior Programme Shootout. Locally, we're immensely proud to have had these two incredible talents rise through our system and we hope that this programme gives the current cast of Michelin Juniors the best possible chance to follow in Matt's and Jaxon's footsteps.
"Such a comprehensive driver development programme wouldn't be possible without the support of Michelin Australia, who sees the potential in current Australian-based Porsche drivers and the importance to providing a programme through which young drivers can realise their racing dreams."
Michelin Australia's Marketing Manager Oceania, Swaroop Tulsidas, is excited to continue the French brand's support of the region's young racers.
"Michelin is proud to once again support the Junior Programme in 2019. The local partnership we have built with Porsche provides the Australian motorsport community with the most successful driver development programme currently available and we look forward to continuing this support into 2019," said Tulsidas.
"Michelin's ultimate goal for this programme is to help fast-track young and talented drivers from the region to the highest level of international motorsport. This year, we have made some improvements to the programme to benefit every Michelin Junior looking to grow on and off the track, including the exciting Michelin Super Round concept to include some added incentive at the Carrera Cup round at Albert Park.
"Le Mans winners Matt Campbell and Earl Bamber are providing a clear picture of what global success looks like with Porsche and Michelin. We wish our 2018 Michelin Junior Jaxon Evans the same fortune and look forward to welcoming and growing the class of 2019."
To be eligible as a Michelin Junior in 2019, GT3 Cup Challenge drivers must be aged under 23 as of January 01, 2019, and Carrera Cup drivers must be aged under 25 as of January 01, 2019, without having previously attended the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout. All Michelin Juniors in each series must also commit to a full season and carry additional Michelin Junior branding on their race car and helmet.
For more information on the 2019 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia, download the 2019 Michelin Junior Guide from the following link: http://bit.ly/MichelinJunior
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Harri Jones joins GT3 Cup Challenge
Formula 3 champion chooses proven Porsche pathway
Harri Jones joins GT3 Cup Challenge
Reigning Australian Formula 3 Champion Harri Jones will join Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia in the hope of following in the footsteps of two Porsche champions.
The 19-year-old Queenslander brings significant open wheel experience to the all-Porsche championship, contesting Formula Ford across three seasons before his successful national Formula 3 campaign in 2018. Jones also raced a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport at the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour, claiming victory in Class C.
Jones has now confirmed his GT3 Cup Challenge entry with McElrea Racing with the aim to start his ascent of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in the footsteps of former McElrea Racing drivers and eventual international Porsche Juniors Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans.
"I'm absolutely over the moon to hop into a Porsche next year with McElrea Racing. After securing my first championship this year in the Australian Formula 3 series, I am hoping to use that momentum to further develop my driving and get some strong results in 2019," said Jones.
"I have known Andy since I started out in Formula Ford and to sign with him next year is a dream come true. They are a very professional outfit and have lots of Porsche experience and I believe they will give me the best chance to succeed in the category.
"The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid has been proven time and time again and with Jaxon being signed as a Porsche Junior only a couple of weeks ago, it gives me confidence that we have made the right move."
McElrea Racing Team Principle Andy McElrea is thrilled to recruit the open wheel champion following another success story in the promotion of 2018 Carrera Cup champion Jaxon Evans to the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme in 2019.
"McElrea Racing is absolutely delighted to be able to announce Harri as our second and final Pro driver for the 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge championship. I first noticed Harri in Formula Ford a few years ago and have kept a close eye on him ever since. I was particularly impressed with his ability to take the F3 championship under huge pressure and of course his raw pace with slicks and aero. We are very confident our two single-seater hot shots Harri & Ryan Suhle will enjoy a great season as they follow MR teammates Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid."
Ryan Suhle was confirmed to race in GT3 Cup Challenge with McElrea Racing last month following his second-place finish in the Australian Formula 4 Championship.
The 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season will commence at Symonns Plains Raceway as part of the Tasmania SuperSprint on April 5-7, 2019.
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Jaxon Evans continues ascent of Porsche Motorsport Pyramid
Second GT3 Cup Challenge graduate wins Junior Shootout
Jaxon Evans continues ascent of Porsche Motorsport Pyramid
GT3 Cup Challenge graduate Jaxon Evans has taken victory in the 2018 Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout and will follow in the footsteps of Matt Campbell when competing in the 2019 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as a Porsche Junior.
The Gold Coast-based New Zealander raced in Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia for two seasons before contesting the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia for two seasons, winning in his second attempt along with taking the Michelin Junior title. Thereafter Evans attended the three-day Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout at Circuit Paul Ricard near Le Castellet, France.
Following an anxious wait for the 22-year-old, Evans was confirmed as the winning Shootout participant from the 11 attending drivers; all standout young talents in their respective Porsche one-make series.
Evans is the second Carrera Cup Australia champion to be selected as a Porsche Junior; at the end of 2016, then-Carrera Cup champion Matt Campbell was the ultimate victor from the Shootout and became a Porsche Junior for the 2017 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, in which he placed third in the standings. Campbell was then promoted to a Porsche Young Professional position and is currently racing in the 2018/2019 World Endurance Championship Super Season in the GTE-Am class.
Evans will now receive 225,000 Euro towards next season's Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup along with a comprehensive training programme from Porsche Motorsport, which includes on-track coaching, psychological and media relations training and an extensive fitness regime.
"When I received the phone call and they told me that I was their selection from the Shootout it was really special and I didn't know what to say. It's exciting and a privilege that they picked me and they put their faith in me after the Shootout. Honestly, it hasn't sunk in yet, which is the hardest bit," said Evans.
"To go from GT3 Cup Challenge, Carrera Cup and win the Shootout has always been my main goal in terms of building a career in motorsport and a future with Porsche. I've always closely followed the likes of Earl Bamber and, more recently, Matt Campbell. I'm close mates with Matt and seeing how successful he's been in terms of racing but also being able to move to Germany and build a racing career with Porsche has been so cool to see. So to be rewarded with the first step towards replicating this – becoming a Porsche Junior – is really special and really is a dream come true for me.
"Matt was one of the first people that I told. It's pretty exciting and we joked about that, from where we were four years ago, we wouldn't have expected to both be living in Germany in 2019 and racing for Porsche. To see him do it was special, but to follow in his footsteps and make the move Germany and race in Supercup is incredible."
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Troy Bundy, was thrilled to learn of Evans' success in the Junior Programme Shootout, which further confirmed Australia's Porsche Motorsport Pyramid as of the region's best development pathways for young drivers.
"From the start of the season you could tell that Jaxon was on a mission and that, should he be selected to participate in the Shootout, he would be an unstoppable force. We had one of our most competitive Carrera Cup seasons to date in 2018 and for Jaxon to secure the title with such an impressive performance shows his immense talent behind the wheel of a Porsche race car. Porsche Motorsport obviously noticed this at the Shootout and therefore selected him as their Porsche Junior for next season," said Bundy.
"This really reaffirms the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in Australia. We initially had Matt Campbell move from GT3 Cup Challenge through to Carrera Cup and eventually win the Junior Programme Shootout. From there, he has had remarkable success racing for Porsche internationally. Jaxon followed the very same pathway and has been our second driver to be selected as a Porsche Junior in just three seasons. A benefit of this has been the tremendous swell of interest in both GT3 Cup Challenge and Carrera Cup locally by young drivers who want to be the next Matt Campbell and, now, the next Jaxon Evans."
Evans will now attend the Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions in Germany in early December before relocating to Europe early next year to commence his 2019 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign.
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Season 2019 calendar announced
GT3 Cup Challenge set for maiden Supercars start
Season 2019 calendar announced
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will make its maiden visit to a Supercars Championship event in 2019, opening its season at the Tasmania SuperSprint.
The all-Porsche series' first Supercars event will also be its third visit to Symmons Plains Raceway – following a Tasmanian round in both 2008 and 2010 – and provide an unprecedented level of exposure for the series through the event's live television broadcast on Fox Sports.
Following the Tasmanian season opener, GT3 Cup Challenge will return to the Shannons Nationals for the remaining five rounds, held at Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island, Queensland Raceway, Sandown Raceway and a season-ending The Bend Motorsport Park round in November.
The series will feature more endurance racing in 2019, with the opening five rounds to begin with an endurance-style race one, followed by two sprint races. This will therefore increase the number of Jim Richards Endurance Trophy races from three to five in 2019. Meanwhile the season finale, to be held at The Bend, will remain as a sprint format across all races.
The 2019 calendar announcement comes after GT3 Cup Challenge's best season to date in 2018; the introduction of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991) coincided with an influx of new competitors in the Pro, Pro-Am and Class B divisions. What resulted was tremendous racing throughout the field and a strong recognition as one of the best driver development platforms in Australian motorsport.
"Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia certainly experienced its strongest year to date in 2018 and we look to replicate this success in 2019," said Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager Troy Bundy.
"The obvious change to the 2019 series is the inclusion of a Supercars round, something the series has never seen before. This provides an incredible platform from which to start the 2019 series while providing our teams, drivers and series partners great exposure. There is great interest from those looking to race in GT3 Cup Challenge next season and we expect to see a similar number of drivers and cars, if not more, on the grid in 2019."
The addition of a Supercars event adds to the unique range of racing events at which Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has visited since its 2008 inception; a list that includes the Shannons Nationals, Porsche Rennsport Australia (2013, 2016), Top Gear Festival (2014) and Bathurst 12 Hour (2009, 2010).
2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Calendar
Round 1 – Symmons Plains, Tas (Supercars) April 05-07, 2019
Round 2 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW (Shannons Nationals) May 17-19, 2019
Round 3 – Phillip Island, Vic (Shannons Nationals) June 07-09, 2019
Round 4 – Queensland Raceway, Qld (Shannons Nationals) August 02-04, 2019
Round 5 – Sandown Raceway, Vic (Shannons Nationals) September 20-22, 2019
Round 6 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA (Shannons Nationals) November 15-16, 2019
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Saturday Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Fallon secures 2018 title in chaotic Sydney finale
Saturday Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
In a sensational finish to the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season, young gun Simon Fallon has secured the 2018 title in the Outright and Pro classifications, while Danny Stutterd and Christian Pancione finished the season with Pro-Am and Class B honours.
Saturday started with Cooper Murray placing second to Jimmy Vernon in race one, extending his points lead ahead of the final race of the season. Then, starting second on the grid, Murray failed to launch from the start line; Shane Barwood was then unable to avoid Murray's stationary car and the duo collided, forcing them and Sergio Pires out of the final race of the season.
The race was restart, with Fallon ultimately placing third behind Vernon and Max Vidau, handing the Melbourne based racer the 2018 title. Murray placed second for the season from Vidau in third.
"It's great to leave the 2018 season as the champion. I entered the season with the hopes of a top three finish and I can't thank the team enough for supporting me throughout the season," said Fallon.
Queensland based driver Brett Boulton was the best of the Pro-Am drivers in Sydney, taking his second class clean sweep of the season. Boulton was joined on the Pro-Am class podium Michael Hovey and Marcel Zalloua.
While Danny Stutterd missed a spot on the Sydney podium, he secured the Pro-Am title with one race remaining for the season from Boulton and Hovey in third.
Meanwhile, Christian Pancione capped a strong season, in which he claimed the Class B title at the penultimate round, with a class clean sweep at the season finale. Phil Morriss and David Greig placed second and third for the round as well as in the final class standings.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will return to the track in 2019, with the race schedule to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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Race 1 Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Vernon takes maiden win, Murray extends series lead
Race 1 Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Michelin Junior Jimmy Vernon has taken his maiden Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia victory in the opening race of the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, while points leader Cooper Murray extended his outright points lead to 17 after securing second place.
Starting second, Vernon gained the lead from the start line and extended his margin at the front from second placed Max Vidau before the latter ran off at the final corner early in the race. This handed Vernon a larger margin at the front, cruising to victory in the uninterrupted 15 lap race.
Murray was unchallenged to second place from his nearest title rival, Simon Fallon, in third.
Vidau recovered to place fourth from Pro-Am winner Brett Boulton. Behind Boulton was Pro-Am points leader Danny Stutterd in sixth outright, who now holds an unassailable class lead entering the final race of the season.
Christian Pancione placed 10th outright and was the first Class B contender across the line, the class champion-elect beating class rivals Sergio Pires and David Greig.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 22
3:42pm Race 2 (15 laps)
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 15 | 23:16.9500 | 1:31.4358 |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 15 | 23:19.0644 | 1:31.5348 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 15 | 23:26.0141 | 1:32.2195 |
| 4 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 15 | 23:32.5381 | 1:31.2388* |
| 5 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 15 | 23:38.8263 | 1:32.7557 |
| 6 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 15 | 23:42.9806 | 1:32.8622 |
| 7 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 15 | 23:46.5353 | 1:33.6859 |
| 8 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 15 | 23:47.3098 | 1:33.8316 |
| 9 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 15 | 23:54.6202 | 1:33.9484 |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 15 | 23:57.8495 | 1:34.4166 |
| 11 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 15 | 24:00.5421 | 1:32.7607 |
| 12 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:02.3421 | 1:32.5678 |
| 13 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 15 | 24:02.5352 | 1:33.3283 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:05.7266 | 1:33.9153 |
| 15 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:06.2930 | 1:34.2360 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:17.9114 | 1:35.5729 |
| 17 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:22.5233 | 1:35.1617 |
| 18 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 15 | 24:24.7140 | 1:35.6014 |
| 19 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 15 | 24:36.4343 | 1:36.5033 |
| 20 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 15 | 24:38.2128 | 1:36.6837 |
| 21 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 15 | 24:38.3468 | 1:36.6953 |
| 22 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 15 | 24:38.8785 | 1:36.6367 |
| 23 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 14 | 23:22.2266 | 1:36.4827 |
| 24 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 14 | 23:43.1930 | 1:39.5223 |
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Qualifying Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Murray on pole, Fallon fourth for Sydney finale
Qualifying Wrap: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Just 11 points separate series leader Cooper Murray and Simon Fallon in the outright standings at the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, with Murray taking the advantage into the opening race.
Murray will start on pole position for the 15-lap opening race from Jimmy Vernon, Max Vidau and Simon Fallon. Chelsea Angelo recovered from a Friday accident to qualify fifth from Friday pace-setter Dan Day and the best of the Pro-Am contenders, Sam Shahin.
Luis Leeds caused the sole red flag to the session, machanical issues ending his session on his out lap.
The first race of the Sydney Motorsport Park finale will be held at 11:48am.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 22
11:48am Race 1 (15 laps)
3:42pm Race 2 (15 laps)
Results: Qualifying
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:30.0874* | |
| 2 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:30.5840 | 0:00.4966 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:30.6546 | 0:00.5672 |
| 4 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:30.7865 | 0:00.6991 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:31.0327 | 0:00.9453 |
| 6 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:31.1722 | 0:01.0848 |
| 7 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 1:31.8125 | 0:01.7251 |
| 8 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:32.0092 | 0:01.9218 |
| 9 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:32.2668 | 0:02.1794 |
| 10 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:32.5011 | 0:02.4137 |
| 11 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 1:32.6477 | 0:02.5603 |
| 12 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:32.8221 | 0:02.7347 |
| 13 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:32.9716 | 0:02.8842 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 1:33.2638 | 0:03.1764 |
| 15 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:33.5190 | 0:03.4316 |
| 16 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:33.6619 | 0:03.5745 |
| 17 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 1:34.3526 | 0:04.2652 |
| 18 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:34.3949 | 0:04.3075 |
| 19 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:34.7234 | 0:04.6360 |
| 20 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:35.9847 | 0:05.8973 |
| 21 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 1:36.0665 | 0:05.9791 |
| 22 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:36.2079 | 0:06.1205 |
| 23 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1:36.5274 | 0:06.4400 |
| 24 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:37.5804 | 0:07.4930 |
| 25 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro |
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Round 6, Sydney - Friday Wrap
Day, Shahin on top ahead of thrilling finale
Round 6, Sydney - Friday Wrap
South Australians Dan Day and Sam Shahin have topped the Pro and Pro-Am times in Friday practice ahead of the final day of competition for the 2018 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia championship.
Day's best time of Friday was late in the second session, three-tenths ahead of title contender Simon Fallon from Max Vidau and points leader Cooper Murray, who was the only driver in the top nine to record his best time in the earlier practice session.
"We had a lot to work on after practice one, then fitted the new tyres for practice two and treated it as a qualifying session, ending up with a good time," said Day.
"After looking at some of the data from practice two we still have a bit more pace to gain and I'm sure it's the same with the other guys. We've wanted to be fast all year and I feel like we're coming on strong."
Murray and Fallon now enter the final day of competition just 11 points apart in the overall standings and 24 points apart in the Pro class points, with 120 points on offer on the final day of the season.
Sam Shahin will look to book-end the 2018 GT3 Cup Challenge season with Pro-Am round wins. Shahin secured a stunning Pro-Am round win at his own The Bend Motorsport Park race track in the opening round of the 2018 season before a break from the series mid-season. Shahin returns to the series this weekend, restarting his GT3 Cup Challenge campaign in style with the best Pro-Am performance in both practice sessions.
Pro-Am points leader Danny Stutterd was the next best driver in class from Friday, with Marcel Zalloua and Brett Boulton third and fourth in the Pro-Am class.
Meanwhile, Class B champion-elect Christian Pancione finished Friday less than two seconds off the pace of the leading Class A contenders at the head of the Class B field. Winton class winner Sergio Pires was the second fastest in Class B on Friday from David Greig and Phil Morriss.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold qualifying and two races on Saturday for what will be the final day of the 2018 season.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 22
8:30am Qualifying (20 minutes)
11:48am Race 1 (15 laps)
3:42pm Race 2 (15 laps)
Results: Practice 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:32.0914 | |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:32.4430 | 0:00.3516 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:32.7835 | 0:00.6921 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:32.7842 | 0:00.6928 |
| 5 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 1:32.9039 | 0:00.8125 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:33.0654 | 0:00.9740 |
| 7 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:33.1071 | 0:01.0157 |
| 8 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:33.1707 | 0:01.0793 |
| 9 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 1:33.2622 | 0:01.1708 |
| 10 | 23 | Danny Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:33.9175 | 0:01.8261 |
| 11 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:34.0047 | 0:01.9133 |
| 12 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:34.1317 | 0:02.0403 |
| 13 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:34.4887 | 0:02.3973 |
| 14 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:34.8180 | 0:02.7266 |
| 15 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:34.8927 | 0:02.8013 |
| 16 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 1:35.2241 | 0:03.1327 |
| 17 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:35.8126 | 0:03.7212 |
| 18 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:36.3997 | 0:04.3083 |
| 19 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:36.5947 | 0:04.5033 |
| 20 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:36.8586 | 0:04.7672 |
| 21 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 1:36.8857 | 0:04.7943 |
| 22 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1:36.8926 | 0:04.8012 |
| 23 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:38.1980 | 0:06.1066 |
| 24 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 1:38.7475 | 0:06.6561 |
| 25 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:40.7142 | 0:08.6228 |
Results: Practice 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:31.4790 | |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:31.7846 | 0:00.3056 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:32.0568 | 0:00.5778 |
| 4 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:32.1189 | 0:00.6399 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:32.5706 | 0:01.0916 |
| 6 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:32.6093 | 0:01.1303 |
| 7 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 1:32.7209 | 0:01.2419 |
| 8 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:32.7308 | 0:01.2518 |
| 9 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:33.2556 | 0:01.7766 |
| 10 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:33.3232 | 0:01.8442 |
| 11 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:33.6233 | 0:02.1443 |
| 12 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 1:33.6558 | 0:02.1768 |
| 13 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 1:33.9754 | 0:02.4964 |
| 14 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:34.1738 | 0:02.6948 |
| 15 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:34.3077 | 0:02.8287 |
| 16 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 1:34.4403 | 0:02.9613 |
| 17 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:34.6254 | 0:03.1464 |
| 18 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:35.1890 | 0:03.7100 |
| 19 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:35.8894 | 0:04.4104 |
| 20 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:36.2402 | 0:04.7612 |
| 21 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1:36.3973 | 0:04.9183 |
| 22 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 1:36.8185 | 0:05.3395 |
| 23 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:37.6498 | 0:06.1708 |
| 24 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:41.5563 | 0:10.0773 |
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News
23Red Racing assists drought stricken farmers
Leeds supports Buy a Bale at Sydney finale
23Red Racing assists drought stricken farmers
Young gun Luis Leeds will support Buy a Bale at this weekend's Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Leeds and his 23Red Racing will support drought stricken Australian farmers, raising funds to purchase hay to feed livestock, and vital supplies for families in affected regions.
"A lot of people think that the drought is over and with this livery it just shows that it is not over," Team Owner Phil Munday told motorsport news website Speedcafe.com.
"I'm very passionate about the farmers as my wife is farmer's daughter so I know how tough the situation can be.
"I thought this would be good for the final round; hopefully keep the cause in the forefront of everyone's mind."
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News
Preview: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
Title fights to be decided in Sydney
Preview: Round 6, Sydney Motorsport Park
The 2018 season of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has been the series' most competitive to date, with the Pro and Pro-Am classes featuring multiple winners at record-setting pace. And this weekend, the season draws to a close at what is set to be a spectacular Sydney Motorsport Park finale.
With an average of 23 cars featuring on the GT3 Cup Challenge grid in 2018, a season-high 26 cars will line up for the Sydney finale, concluding a season that has featured an unprecedented depth of young driver talent and the introduction of the first-generation 991-series Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
The tremendous season-long battle between Cooper Murray and Simon Fallon has seen the duo enter the Sydney finale a mere 11 points apart in the outright standings and 24 points separating the duo in the Pro class points.
With two round wins apiece, Fallon and Murray have set the pace for the majority of the season, with momentum on the side of Murray, who secured the penultimate round win at Winton Motor Raceway along with victory in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
"I'm looking forward to Sydney where I'll just try to get as many points as I can," said Murray. "I'd like to be a little bit further ahead in the standings at this point, but unfortunately a DNF at Queensland Raceway really cost us a lot of points and we've had to work twice as hard after that to be in this position."
Max Vidau looks set to secure third in the Pro standings; though Jimmy Vernon mathematically remains in the hunt for a top-three season finish.
Danny Stutterd enters the final round with one hand on the Pro-Am class trophy, entering the New South Wales event with an 82-point lead in the class standings over Brett Boulton. The competitive class has been the best represented of the series throughout 2018, with an incredible five different drivers taking Pro-Am round wins from the season's five rounds, including round one winner and Carrera Cup racer Sam Shahin, who returns for the final round.
Currently third, Michael Hovey has secured a top-three season finish in the Pro-Am class and is mathematically able to pip Boulton for second for the season.
Meanwhile, with the Class B crown secured by young gun Christian Pancione at the penultimate round at Winton Motor Raceway, the battle for second place continues between Phil Morriss and reigning Class B champion David Greig, the duo sit just 25 points apart entering the final round.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold two practice sessions on Friday, with qualifying and its final two races of the season on Saturday.
Race Schedule
Friday September 21
12:05pm Practice 1 (30 minutes)
3:25pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday September 22
8:30am Qualifying (20 minutes)
11:48am Race 1 (15 laps)
3:42pm Race 2 (15 laps)
Entry List
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach
3. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue
4. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Pro-Am) The Bend /htfu
6. #13 Jonathan Gliksten (Pro-Am) Cure FA
7. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
8. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont
9. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
10. #23 Danny Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
11. #26 Tom Taplin (Pro) Taplin Real Estate
12. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am)
13. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
14. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
15. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey
16. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
17. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
18. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts
19. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
20. #87 David Greig (Class B)
21. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
22. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
23. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
24. #117 Sergio Pires (Class B) 360 Motorsport
25. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic / Williams Racing
26. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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SUNDAY WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Murray, Zalloua & Pires take Winton honours
SUNDAY WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Cooper Murray has regained the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series lead following two impressive race wins on Sunday at Winton Motor Raceway, while teammates Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires departed the rural Victorian circuit with Pro-Am and Class B honours.
Murray lost the series lead in Saturday's opening race, jumped at the top of the outright points tally by race winner Simon Fallon, though the result was enough to secure Murray the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Murray was quick to retake the top spot in the series standings with victory in Sunday morning's race two, holding off Fallon in the 12-lap race, with Jimmy Vernon and Max Vidau providing an entertaining battle for third.
Race three also went to Murray, beating Fallon to the chequered flag and extending his series lead in both the overall and Pro class standings. The result handed Murray first for the round from Fallon and Vernon in third.
"Today couldn't have gone any better; to come away with two race wins and regain the championship lead," said Murray.
"It helped getting my starts right today. We went four-wheel-driving last night in the ute to practise my starts and it worked, I had two great starts today, which got us two wins. The goal now is to beat Simon at the final round and get as many points as possible to hopefully come away with the title."
The Pro-Am series has seen phenomenal competition throughout the season, with the Winton round marking the fifth different class winner from five rounds this season: Sam Shahin (The Bend), Danny Stutterd (Sandown), Ben Stack (Phillip Island), Brett Boulton (Queensland Raceway), Zalloua (Winton).
Following a Pro-Am class win in Saturday's 29-lap endurance battle, Zalloua continued at the front of the class for Sunday's race two before placing second to Stutterd in the third and final race. Zalloua was joined on the Winton Pro-Am podium by second placed Michael Hovey and third placed Michael Loccisano.
"It was a challenging weekend but it was good to stay out of trouble and stay on the pace. I can't thank the team enough; they were immense all weekend and really kept my confidence up," said Zalloua. "The season took a turn for the better at Phillip Island and while this weekend was trying – I was a little but slower than the faster Pro-Am drivers – we played a smarter game."
Young gun Christian Pancione was the dominant Class B driver across Sunday's two races, however a race one DNF removed his hopes for a podium result for the round. Pires followed his Saturday class win with two second place Class B results on Sunday to win the round from Andrew Goldie and Phil Morriss.
Murray now takes an 11-point lead in the outright GT3 Cup Challenge standings from Fallon, with Vidau 124 points further adrift in third. Murray's margin to second is 24 points to Fallon in the Pro class points.
Stutterd takes an 82-point Pro-Am lead into the Sydney finale while Christian Pancione holds an unattainable 161-point lead in Class B from Phil Morriss and David Greig.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia returns for the final round of its 2018 season later in the month at Sydney Motorsport Park on September 21-22, 2018.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 12 | 16:32.2390 | 1:21.6566r |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 16:34.5598 | 1:21.6518R |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 16:45.2788 | 1:22.5482 |
| 4 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 16:45.8729 | 1:22.4646 |
| 5 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 12 | 17:02.7822 | 1:23.9054 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 17:11.8845 | 1:23.1428 |
| 7 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.0566 | 1:24.1370 |
| 8 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.5613 | 1:23.6488 |
| 9 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.7398 | 1:23.4955 |
| 10 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 17:15.0388 | 1:23.2902 |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:18.8633 | 1:24.4386 |
| 12 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:20.3203 | 1:24.5553 |
| 13 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 12 | 17:23.6288 | 1:24.2141 |
| 14 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 12 | 17:27.5266 | 1:24.9374 |
| 15 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:33.3301 | 1:23.6535 |
| 16 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 12 | 17:40.8434 | 1:25.4638 |
| 17 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 17:43.3756 | 1:25.7731 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:49.2551 | 1:24.7085 |
| 19 | 13 | Jonathan Gliksten | Pro-Am | 11 | 16:50.4984 | 1:26.9516 |
| 20 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 11 | 17:00.4158 | 1:30.1361 |
| 21 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 10 | 17:07.0819 | 1:27.7567 |
| DNF | 87 | David Greig | Class B |
Results: Race 3
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 12 | 16:32.6232 | 1:21.7953* |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 16:36.3448 | 1:21.8613 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 16:41.8483 | 1:21.8799 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 16:48.0277 | 1:22.8045 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 16:48.2444 | 1:22.6519 |
| 6 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 12 | 16:59.5923 | 1:23.0703 |
| 7 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 17:02.4000 | 1:23.1453 |
| 8 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:06.6542 | 1:23.3759 |
| 9 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:15.8823 | 1:24.2612 |
| 10 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:15.9443 | 1:24.5938 |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:16.6745 | 1:24.2242 |
| 12 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:17.1367 | 1:23.2066 |
| 13 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:25.6339 | 1:24.8204 |
| 14 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 12 | 17:28.9664 | 1:25.4690 |
| 15 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 12 | 17:34.8950 | 1:25.4073 |
| 16 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 12 | 17:38.7902 | 1:26.0220 |
| 17 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:39.3734 | 1:24.3504 |
| 18 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 12 | 17:40.9870 | 1:23.5554 |
| 19 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 17:43.7047 | 1:26.1086 |
| 20 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 12 | 17:46.3397 | 1:26.4462 |
| 21 | 13 | Jonathan Gliksten | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:06.3198 | 1:27.9586 |
| DNF | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B |
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News
Race 2 Wrap: Murray, Zalloua and Pancione take race honours
Murray retakes series lead with race two win
Race 2 Wrap: Murray, Zalloua and Pancione take race honours
Cooper Murray has recaptured the outright points lead of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series with victory in race two at Winton Motor Raceway.
The Victorian lost the top spot to Simon Fallon after Fallon won Saturday's race one endurance battle, with second place handing Murray the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy win.
Murray then improved in race two to take a narrow victory over Fallon, while Jimmy Vernon held off Max Vidau for third place. Vidau was fourth while Tom Taplin repeated his race one effort with fifth place.
An impressive race for Chelsea Angelo saw the Wall Racing driver come from the rear of the field to sixth outright, slowing working her way through the leading Pro-Am contenders throughout the race.
Marcel Zalloua took back-to-back Pro-Am wins from Sam Fillmore and Brett Boulton, while Christian Pancione recovered from a race one DNF to win Class B – and place 10th overall – from the rear of the grid.
Race three will be held at 11:55, which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals live stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday September 02
11:55am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 12 | 16:32.2390 | 1:21.6566r |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 16:34.5598 | 1:21.6518R |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 16:45.2788 | 1:22.5482 |
| 4 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 16:45.8729 | 1:22.4646 |
| 5 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 12 | 17:02.7822 | 1:23.9054 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 17:11.8845 | 1:23.1428 |
| 7 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.0566 | 1:24.1370 |
| 8 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.5613 | 1:23.6488 |
| 9 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:14.7398 | 1:23.4955 |
| 10 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 17:15.0388 | 1:23.2902 |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:18.8633 | 1:24.4386 |
| 12 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:20.3203 | 1:24.5553 |
| 13 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 12 | 17:23.6288 | 1:24.2141 |
| 14 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 12 | 17:27.5266 | 1:24.9374 |
| 15 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:33.3301 | 1:23.6535 |
| 16 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 12 | 17:40.8434 | 1:25.4638 |
| 17 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 17:43.3756 | 1:25.7731 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 17:49.2551 | 1:24.7085 |
| 19 | 13 | Jonathan Gliksten | Pro-Am | 11 | 16:50.4984 | 1:26.9516 |
| 20 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 11 | 17:00.4158 | 1:30.1361 |
| 21 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 10 | 17:07.0819 | 1:27.7567 |
| DNF | 87 | David Greig | Class B |
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Race 1 Wrap: Murray, Zalloua and Pires take race one wins
Fallon wins, Murray takes endurance crown
Race 1 Wrap: Murray, Zalloua and Pires take race one wins
A thrilling race-long battle between young racers Simon Fallon and Cooper Murray in race one of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia at Winton Motor Raceway has ended in victory for Fallon, while Murray walked away with the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy crown.
Murray qualified on pole position while Fallon gained the advantage from the start, leading Jimmy Vernon and Murray into the opening corner.
The safety car featured twice in the early stages of the race: Chelsea Angelo was unable to avoid a stationary Luis Leeds after Leeds failed to get away at the race start. Then on the restart, Pro-Am points leaders Danny Stutterd and Brett Boulton made contact at turn four, with Dan Day and Max Vidau also casualties of the accident.
Murray was able to pass Vernon after the second restart and pursue Fallon for the lead; quickly catching the race leader and applying pressure for the remainder of the race. However Fallon remained composed to take his fifth race win of the season and jump to the outright series lead by single point.
"It's a pretty good results for me and the team. It's the first time we've had a good result in one of these longer races. In testing we've been learning a lot about how to save the tyre and look after it a lot more because lately I've been quick in the sprint races but not-so-much in the longer distance races. It's great to finally get one up in a longer race and hopefully I can continue at the front in tomorrow's two sprint races," said Fallon.
Second for Murray was enough to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy following his race victories at the previous two long distance races at The Bend Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway. Murray now becomes the eighth different winner of the endurance honour, adding his name to a list that includes Roger Lago, Kane Rose, Richard Muscat, Fraser Ross, James Abela, Jaxon Evans and 2017 winner Jordan Love.
"I'm very happy to win the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy and tick that box for the season. I've enjoyed the different challenges the longer races have provided this season and the fact that you have to be smart about your approach to each. To secure the Endurance Trophy is a real honours and now I can focus on the main championship and gain as many points as I can for the rest of the season," said Murray.
Third place went to Vernon in an uneventful race for the Sydneysider, unchallenged for position after Murray moved to second at the restart. Following his early drama, Vidau was able to pit to replace a punctured tyre and recover to place fourth, while Tom Taplin celebrated his first race in the 991-series 911 GT3 Cup car with an impressive career-high fifth place.
With Pro-Am leaders Boulton and Stutterd out of the race, Marcel Zalloua took charge at the front of the class to ultimately take sixth place and his first class win from Michael Hovey, Michael Loccisano and Sam Fillmore, who placed ninth overall.
"It was a bit of a Bradbury moment, but it was good fun," said Zalloua. "I managed to keep it clean and stay out of trouble and brought it home in sixth. Qualifying wasn't so good for me so it was good to come back in race one with the right mindset and keep up with the front bunch of drivers."
Christian Pancione was the best of the Class B field and was running in an impressive fifth outright until a broken throttle cable late in the race ended the young Victorian's chances. This allowed fellow series rookie Sergio Pires to take his maiden class win from class champion David Greig and Phil Morriss.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold two sprint races on Sunday to conclude the Winton round, both of which can be viewed on the event live stream, available from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday September 02
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:55am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 29 | 46:11.8398 | 1:22.2385* |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 29 | 46:12.1013 | 1:22.2853 |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 29 | 46:22.5261 | 1:22.4671 |
| 4 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 29 | 46:41.6522 | 1:22.6208 |
| 5 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 29 | 47:12.2522 | 1:24.3144 |
| 6 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 29 | 47:18.8498 | 1:24.4727 |
| 7 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 29 | 47:22.7804 | 1:24.7846 |
| 8 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 29 | 47:23.1499 | 1:24.6026 |
| 9 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 29 | 47:34.2659 | 1:24.7349 |
| 10 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 29 | 47:35.2263 | 1:25.4247 |
| 11 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 28 | 46:31.5844 | 1:25.8590 |
| 12 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 28 | 46:33.6517 | 1:25.9642 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 28 | 46:35.5440 | 1:25.9399 |
| 14 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 28 | 47:14.5515 | 1:27.8369 |
| 15 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 28 | 47:14.8164 | 1:27.8486 |
| 16 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 27 | 46:22.1847 | 1:25.9730 |
| 17 | 13 | Jonathan Gliksten | Pro-Am | 27 | 47:40.9227 | 1:31.4517 |
| DNF | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 23 | 38:36.7595 | 1:23.8152 |
| DNF | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 2 | 4:44.6987 | 2:13.3460 |
| DNF | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 2 | 4:45.1026 | 2:14.4679 |
| DNF | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 2 | 4:45.2018 | 2:15.4462 |
| DNF | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | |||
| DNF | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro |
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News
QUALIFYING WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Murray, Stutterd and Pancione top Winton qualifying
QUALIFYING WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Cooper Murray has taken his second pole position of the 2018 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season at Winton Motor Raceway, while Danny Stutterd and Christian Pancione topped the Pro-Am and Class B classifications for the session.
Murray was at the top of the timesheet for the majority of the qualifying session, posting his best time of 1:21.5776 on his final flying lap.
Fallon will start Saturday's endurance race one alongside Murray in second, with the second row consisting of Max Vidau and Jimmy Vernon.
Luis Leeds qualifying fifth from Stutterd, Chelsea Angelo, Brett Boulton and Pancione in ninth outright.
Saturday afternoon's 35-lap race one will be the third and final race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, which Murray currently leads from Vidau and Vernon.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 01
1:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday September 02
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:55am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Qualifying
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:21.5776* | |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:21.7389 | 0:00.1613 |
| 3 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:22.1398 | 0:00.5622 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:22.3977 | 0:00.8201 |
| 5 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:22.4578 | 0:00.8802 |
| 6 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:23.2030 | 0:01.6254 |
| 7 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:23.3546 | 0:01.7770 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:23.4568 | 0:01.8792 |
| 9 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:23.5192 | 0:01.9416 |
| 10 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:23.5307 | 0:01.9531 |
| 11 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:23.5889 | 0:02.0113 |
| 12 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 1:23.8925 | 0:02.3149 |
| 13 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:24.6700 | 0:03.0924 |
| 14 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Pro | 1:24.7467 | 0:03.1691 |
| 15 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:24.9478 | 0:03.3702 |
| 16 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 1:25.0146 | 0:03.4370 |
| 17 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:25.4657 | 0:03.8881 |
| 18 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:25.7006 | 0:04.1230 |
| 19 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:25.8341 | 0:04.2565 |
| 20 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:26.4909 | 0:04.9133 |
| 21 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 1:27.1469 | 0:05.5693 |
| 22 | 13 | Jonathan Gliksten | Pro-Am | 1:27.9047 | 0:06.3271 |
| 23 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:30.4394 | 0:08.8618 |
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FRIDAY WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Porsche field prepares for Endurance Trophy decider
FRIDAY WRAP: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia experienced variable weather conditions at Winton Motor Raceway as its field made final preparations ahead of Saturday's final race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
The Porsche series held opening practice on a soggy Winton circuit before the sun emerged for practice two, a session where all drivers were able to complete their best times of the day.
Series points leader Cooper Murray was the best of both sessions, finishing the day just 0.1115secs ahead of his closest title rival Simon Fallon, with Luis Leeds behind in third.
Murray now has his sights on the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, where he leads Max Vidau by 12 points after victories in the season's two endurance races, held at The Bend Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway.
"It's good to start the event being quickest in both practice sessions. It's my home track, which gave me an advantage, so we'll see what qualifying brings tomorrow," said Murray.
"The Endurance Trophy is what I'm focussing on right now. It would be good to win that in race one and tick off that box for 2018. Hopefully we get that done and then focus on the main championship."
Jimmy Vernon was the next best from Friday practice from Chelsea Angelo and Vidau in sixth.
Queensland Raceway Pro-Am winner Brett Boulton was the best of the Pro-Am class with the seventh best time, while Christian Pancione continued his Class B pace-setting form with the best time of his class in eighth outright.
Reigning Class B champion David Grieg was the next best of the Class B runners in ninth outright from Tom Taplin; the South Australian rookie quickly adapting to his 991-series 911 GT3 Cup car to sneak into the top 10 across the two Friday practice sessions.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold qualifying and the final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season on Saturday before its two Sunday sprint races, both of which can be viewed on the event live stream, available from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 01
10:10am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday September 02
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:55am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Practice 1 & 2 (combined times)
1. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) 1:23.9646*
2. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) 1:24.0761 (-0:00.1115)
3. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) 1:25.2900 (-0:01.3254)
4. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) 1:26.3570 (-0:02.3924)
5. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) 1:26.6640 (-0:02.6994)
6. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) 1:26.6975 (-0:02.7329)
7. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) 1:27.3543 (-0:03.3897)
8. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) 1:27.4440 (-0:03.4794)
9. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:28.0371 (-0:04.0725)
10. #26 Tom Taplin (Pro) 1:28.1734 (-0:04.2088)
11. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) 1:28.4422 (-0:04.4776)
12. #2 Dan Day (Pro) 1:28.6021 (-0:04.6375)
13. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) 1:28.9099 (-0:04.9453)
14. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) 1:30.0525 (-0:06.0879)
15. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) 1:31.0617 (-0:07.0971)
16. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) 1:31.1353 (-0:07.1707)
17. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) 1:31.5036 (-0:07.5390)
18. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am) 1:32.7293 (-0:08.7647)
19. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) 1:32.7769 (-0:08.8123)
20. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 1:34.3737 (-0:10.4091)
21. #13 Jonathan Gliksten (Pro-Am) 1:35.0952 (-0:11.1306)
22. #117 Sergio Pires (Class B) 1:35.3748 (-0:11.4102)
23. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) 1:39.8221 (-0:15.8575)
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PREVIEW: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Winton round to crown endurance champion
PREVIEW: Round 5, Winton Motor Raceway
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will this weekend hold its penultimate round of the 2018 season at Winton Motor Raceway, where the winner of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will be decided.
The three-race endurance mini-series featured a long-distance race at both The Bend Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway, with young gun Cooper Murray taking victory in both races. Murray is therefore best placed to capture the Endurance Trophy in his maiden GT3 Cup Challenge season.
Murray's closest Endurance Trophy rival is Michelin Junior Max Vidau, who has placed second in both endurance races thus far, while fifth and third place results has Jimmy Vernon third in the endurance standings.
After race one – the third and final race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy – attention will shift to the 2018 title chase, which sees Murray narrowly leading Simon Fallon in both the Outright and Pro standings. Murray held a significant advantage in both pointscores until a DNF in the final race at Queensland Raceway brought Simon Fallon back into title contention.
Fallon now enters the crucial Winton round having never raced at the Victorian circuit.
"I like the track; I've had a few laps there though I've never raced there before," said Fallon. "I'm not sure how we'll go there. It has a bit of everything so we'll rock up and see where everyone sits after practice one. It will be a fun weekend and an interesting event on track."
Brett Boulton hopes to continue his Pro-Am form after taking a Queensland Raceway clean sweep at the last event. The Queenslander sits 74 points behind Danny Stutterd in the Pro-Am standings with six races remaining for the season.
The Pro-Am class will feature nine entries this weekend, expanded with the inclusion of newcomer Jonathan Gliksten.
Christian Pancione enters the penultimate round with a stronghold on the Class B title, sitting 167 points ahead of his closest rival Phil Morriss with 180 points on offer this weekend.
Movements in Class B include the return on Richard Bloomfield and Sergio Pires at Winton, while former Class B contender Tom Taplin will shift to the Pro classifications after transitioning to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991.I) car.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold two practice session on Friday, qualifying and the final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season on Saturday and two sprint races on Sunday. Both of Sunday's GT3 Cup Challenge races, and the entire Shannons Nationals on track program, can be viewed via the event's live stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday August 31
12:10pm Practice 1 (30 minutes)
3:05pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday September 01
10:10am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday September 02
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:55am Race 3 (12 laps)
Entry List
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach
3. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue
4. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc
5. #13 Jonathan Gliksten (Pro-Am) Cure FA
6. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
7. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont
8. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
9. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
10. #26 Tom Taplin (Pro) Taplin Real Estate
11. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am)
12. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
13. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
14. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey
15. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
16. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
17. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts
18. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
19. #87 David Greig (Class B)
20. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
21. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
22. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
23. #117 Sergio Pires (Class B) 360 Motorsport
24. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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Fallon, Boulton and Pancione take QR round honours
Title fight intensifies at Queensland Raceway
Fallon, Boulton and Pancione take QR round honours
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia championship chase has intensified following an entertaining round four battle at Queensland Raceway, with Simon Fallon, Brett Boulton and Christian Pancione securing round victory.
The Pro class provided tremendous racing throughout Sunday's two sprint races, with Victorian Simon Fallon triumphant in both.
After struggling with a fifth place in the 40-lap race one, Fallon bounced back from fifth on the race two grid to lead exiting turn two. From there, he went on to win despite points leader Cooper Murray applying pressure for the majority of the race.
Fallon continued at the front in race three, taking victory from Vidau and cementing his position on the top step of the overall and Pro round podiums. What made Fallon's success even sweeter, however, was the DNF of Murray, who retired from race three with radiator damage.
After entering Sunday with a 71-point deficit in the overall standings, Fallon departed Queensland Raceway with just a five-point margin to Murray, while the Pro class margin sits at 18 points.
"After Saturday's performance I really didn't think this would be possible; coming out of today with two race wins and the round win. I'm happy with the results and I learnt a heap over the weekend," said Fallon.
"I'm still making a few mistakes, still learning and I'm getting quicker and quicker every weekend and hopefully I can continue to improve and have another strong performance at the next round at Winton."
Vidau followed his second place in race one with sixth place in race two following an early-race mistake, dropping him down the order while battling for the lead. Vidau recovered to place second for race three and second for the round on the Pro podium, while a fourth place on Saturday followed by two third place results handed Chelsea Angelo her first podium in the series in third.
Pro-Am honours went to Brett Boulton, who clean swept the Queensland Raceway round. The local driver topped the round podium from Danny Stutterd and his McElrea Racing teammate Michael Hovey.
"I'm very happy with the result. I needed it if I'm to have any look into the Pro-Am championship. But the three wins on home turf was great," said Boulton, who showed impressive pace in relation to his Pro class rivals.
"I got some really good starts and tried to latch onto the back of the Pro drivers for as long as I could. It took a bit out of me doing the endurance race one and I dropped back a bit, but for the two sprint races I held on quite well. Now we go onto Winton and hope for the best."
Meanwhile Christian Pancione continued his impressive Class B form, winning all three Class B races, taking the top step of the round podium from second-placed David Greig and Phil Morriss while extending his class lead to a substantial 167 points.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will next return to the track at Winton Motor Raceway on August 31-September 02 for the season's penultimate round, where the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will be decided.
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 14:33.6283 | 1:12.0617 |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 14:34.5593 | 1:12.0139 |
| 3 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 14:37.5444 | 1:12.3038 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 14:38.1607 | 1:12.2535 |
| 5 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 12 | 14:38.4470 | 1:11.8115* |
| 6 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 12 | 14:40.6978 | 1:12.1799 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:46.0365 | 1:12.7836 |
| 8 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:48.2538 | 1:12.9838 |
| 9 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:54.0329 | 1:13.1480 |
| 10 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 14:55.5446 | 1:13.6182 |
| 11 | 222 | Scott Taylor | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:56.2684 | 1:13.3790 |
| 12 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:06.7236 | 1:14.2484 |
| 13 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 12 | 15:08.3824 | 1:13.6446 |
| 14 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:17.0474 | 1:13.9821 |
| 15 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 15:20.4583 | 1:14.5562 |
| 16 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:23.8916 | 1:15.3008 |
| 17 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 12 | 15:24.7769 | 1:15.4904 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:29.9312 | 1:14.0562 |
| DNF | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 10 | 12:33.4226 | 1:13.4972 |
| DNF | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 10 | 12:38.6837 | 1:13.4916 |
| DNF | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 4 | 4:59.7834 | 1:12.3302 |
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Fallon, Boulton and Pancione take race two wins
Fallon leads Murray to race two victory
Fallon, Boulton and Pancione take race two wins
Simon Fallon has capitalised on a strong race two start to take his third race win of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season, while Brett Boulton and Christian Pancione claimed Pro-Am and Class B honours.
Starting fifth, Fallon charged to the front battlepack in the opening lap and quickly hitting the front from Max Vidau and Cooper Murray.
A mistake dropped Vidau down the order early in the race, leading Fallon and Murray to battle for the lead. Despite race-long pressure, Fallon maintained the front position to claim the race two victory.
Chelsea Angelo took her third top-three results of the season, finishing third, from Jimmy Vernon, Dan Day and Vidau in sixth.
Brett Boulton was the best of the Pro-Am drivers, taking his second class win of the event from Michael Hovey and Sam Fillmore.
Christian Pancione won his fourth-straight Class B race from Tom Taplin and Andrew Goldie.
The final race of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round at Queensland Raceway will be held on Sunday at 11:45am local time, available to view at www.thenationals.com.au.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 14:26.9099 | 1:11.4751 |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 12 | 14:27.3561 | 1:11.1179* |
| 3 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 14:31.7013 | 1:11.5965 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 14:32.5951 | 1:11.6018 |
| 5 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 12 | 14:34.4027 | 1:11.4188 |
| 6 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 14:34.9512 | 1:11.3844 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:40.3520 | 1:12.2904 |
| 8 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 12 | 14:41.9976 | 1:11.7457 |
| 9 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:47.7665 | 1:12.6024 |
| 10 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 14:53.0754 | 1:13.2874 |
| 11 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:53.2772 | 1:13.1849 |
| 12 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 12 | 14:54.2264 | 1:12.7827 |
| 13 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 14:54.5601 | 1:12.2827 |
| 14 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 12 | 15:01.0829 | 1:13.6045 |
| 15 | 222 | Scott Taylor | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:02.8336 | 1:13.4414 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:03.5583 | 1:13.2132 |
| 17 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 12 | 15:05.5178 | 1:13.5442 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:05.8360 | 1:13.4384 |
| 19 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 15:16.6979 | 1:14.5609 |
| 20 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 12 | 15:26.8906 | 1:15.5200 |
| 21 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 12 | 15:35.5154 | 1:14.6484 |
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Murray, Boulton and Pancione win QR race one
Murray wins thrilling race one enduro at QR
Murray, Boulton and Pancione win QR race one
Cooper Murray has edged out Max Vidau to victory in a thrilling 40-lap race one at Queensland Raceway, which saw the leading duo race nose-to-tail for the majority of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race.
Vidau and Simon Fallon led the opening laps after Murray struggled at the start, though Murray quickly moved to second on lap two before commencing his pursuit of the leader.
The leading duo were pushing hard at the front, with Vidau losing the lip of his front splitter and consequently changing the characteristics of his 911 GT3 Cup. Despite the issue, Vidau maintained the front position after lap-by-lap challenges for the lead by Murray.
Ultimately, Murray gained the front position moments before the safety car was called to remove Scott Taylor from the turn three gravel trap with four laps to go.
Meanwhile, the battle for third had intensified mid-race, with Jimmy Vernon, Chelsea Angelo and Simon Fallon moving to within striking distance of the battling Vidau and Murray when the safety car joined the circuit.
Taylor's car was removed from the run-off area and the leaders were met with a one-lap dash to the chequered flag, where Murray remained composed under pressure to lead home Vidau, Vernon, Angelo and Fallon in fifth.
"I managed to make the race pretty hard for myself once I stuffed the start," said Murray. "I then had to fight back to the front, so it was good to finally get there by the end of the race.
"After the start I tried not to overdo it too early. I managed to reach Max and from there he made it pretty hard for me, hugging the white lines. I got by just before the safety car and managed to get a good restart and pull a gap in the last few corners."
Local racer Brett Boulton was the star Pro-Am driver of the race, placing sixth outright en route to his second class race win of the season. Stutterd ensured damage to his Pro-Am points lead was minimised by finishing second in class and seventh outright, one place ahead of Michael Hovey in eighth.
"It was good to get the race win here today. It was a great race and it was good to get one on Danny as he still has a strong lead in the Pro-Am standings. I've done a fair few laps around here and it was great to get a home race win," said Boulton.
Christian Pancione was the best placed Class B contender in ninth outright while increasing his class points lead. Tom Taplin placed second in class from David Greig and Andrew Goldie, the latter duo embroiled in a thrilling battle of their own mid-race.
Following a victory in the opening endurance race of the season at The Bend Motorsport Park, Murray now holds a 12-point lead in the Jim Richard Endurance Trophy standings from Vidau, with Vernon now in third. Meanwhile Murray increased his lead in the overall and Pro standings to 71 and 84 points, respectively.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold two sprint races on Sunday to complete the fourth round of the competitive one-make championship, both of which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals live stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday July 29
09:30am Race 2 (20 minutes)
11:45am Race 3 (20 minutes)
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 40 | 51:31.3921 | 1:12.0281 |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 40 | 51:32.2435 | 1:11.8723 |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 40 | 51:32.5228 | 1:12.3677 |
| 4 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 40 | 51:32.7242 | 1:12.2030 |
| 5 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 40 | 51:32.9209 | 1:11.8932 |
| 6 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 40 | 51:35.2586 | 1:12.7975 |
| 7 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 40 | 51:36.7182 | 1:12.7240 |
| 8 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 40 | 51:38.1258 | 1:12.8760 |
| 9 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 40 | 51:39.1189 | 1:13.2152 |
| 10 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 40 | 51:40.1740 | 1:12.6924 |
| 11 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 40 | 51:40.5644 | 1:13.5228 |
| 12 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 40 | 51:57.0776 | 1:13.7450 |
| 13 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 39 | 51:35.0755 | 1:13.9179 |
| 14 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 39 | 51:35.9335 | 1:14.0079 |
| 15 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 39 | 51:36.5601 | 1:14.1993 |
| 16 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 39 | 51:42.0156 | 1:15.2442 |
| 17 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 39 | 51:43.6085 | 1:14.3699 |
| 18 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 39 | 52:05.2031 | 1:14.4237 |
| 19 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 38 | 51:38.5559 | 1:13.5574 |
| DNF | 222 | Scott Taylor | Pro-Am | 35 | 43:04.1740 | 1:12.9131 |
| DNF | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro |
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Grid set for race one enduro
Murray, Boulton and Pancione top QR qualifying
Grid set for race one enduro
Cooper Murray has scroed his third-straight pole position in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series at Queensland Raceway, while Brett Boulton and Christian Pancione claimed the top spot in the Pro-Am and Class B classes.
Murray qualified ahead of Max Vidau and Simon Fallon, jumping from third position to the top of the timesheet in his last lap of the session as the chequered flag was waved. The top three placings have therefore remained unchanged in qualifying for the past three qualifying sessions – Sandown, Phillip Island and Queensland Raceway.
Luis Leeds qualified fourth from Jimmy Vernon, Chelsea Angelo and Pro-Am pace-setter Boulton in eighth overall.
Pancione topped Class B and placed 12th outright, a mere 0.01secs ahead of fellow Class B contender Tom Taplin.
The endurance style Race 1 will be held at 2:30am local time.
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:10.7182* | |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:10.7709 | 0:00.0527 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:10.8835 | 0:00.1653 |
| 4 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:10.9773 | 0:00.2591 |
| 5 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:11.1455 | 0:00.4273 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:11.2039 | 0:00.4857 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:11.4816 | 0:00.7634 |
| 8 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:11.8668 | 0:01.1486 |
| 9 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:11.9296 | 0:01.2114 |
| 10 | 222 | Scott Taylor | Pro-Am | 1:12.2081 | 0:01.4899 |
| 11 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:12.2319 | 0:01.5137 |
| 12 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:12.4094 | 0:01.6912 |
| 13 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 1:12.4204 | 0:01.7022 |
| 14 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:12.8608 | 0:02.1426 |
| 15 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:12.9123 | 0:02.1941 |
| 16 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:12.9218 | 0:02.2036 |
| 17 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:13.0879 | 0:02.3697 |
| 18 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:13.3580 | 0:02.6398 |
| 19 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1:13.9597 | 0:03.2415 |
| 20 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:14.1348 | 0:03.4166 |
| 21 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:15.1858 | 0:04.4676 |
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Porsche series prepares for race one enduro battle
Murray leads young guns in QR practice
Porsche series prepares for race one enduro battle
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia drivers have made their final race preparations ahead of the Porsche series' second Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season, with points leader Cooper Murray topping the times at Queensland Raceway.
Murray was trailed on the timesheets by fellow young guns Simon Fallon, Luis Leeds, Max Vidau, Chelsea Angelo and Jimmy Vernon across Friday practice.
"I've been here in the Formula Ford before, which gives me a bit of an edge, but it is my first time here in a Porsche. Thankfully, it hasn't taken me too long to adapt," said Murray.
"The team will no doubt give me a great car to last the 50 minutes in race one, as they did at Tailem Bend. I really enjoy the longer races; it's not just 'go out there and race as hard as you can'; there are tactics involved and you have to take a more measured approach throughout the race. I'm really looking forward to the long distance race and Sunday's two sprint races."
Brett Boulton was the best-performing Pro-Am driver at his home track as he looks to bridge the mid-season points margin to Pro-Am leader Danny Stutterd. Michael Hovey was the second quickest Pro-Am driver on Friday from Stutterd and Scott Taylor.
Meanwhile, Tom Taplin and Christian Pancione were the best of Class B on Friday, followed by Andrew Goldie and David Grieg.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will start Saturday with the sole qualifying session, which will determine the grid for the endurance-style race one. Race two and race three will then be held on Sunday, both of which are available to view live on the Shannons Nationals live stream at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday July 28
11:45am Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:30pm Race 1 (60 minutes)
Sunday July 29
09:30am Race 2 (20 minutes)
11:45am Race 3 (20 minutes)
Results: Practice times (combined P1 & P2)
1. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing 1:11.2728
2. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing 1:11.4130 (0:00.1402)
3. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway 1:11.4430 (0:00.1702)
4. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts 1:11.4885 (0:00.2157)
5. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security 1:11.8201 (0:00.5473)
6. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing 1:11.8800 (0:00.6072)
7. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living 1:12.3853 (0:01.1125)
8. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue 1:12.4187 (0:01.1459)
9. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker 1:12.4833 (0:01.2105)
10. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing 1:12.6471 (0:01.3743)
11. #222 Scott Taylor (Pro-Am) Scott Taylor Motorsport 1:12.6901 (0:01.4173)
12. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate 1:13.0730 (0:01.8002)
13. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group 1:13.1937 (0:01.9209)
14. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance 1:13.7609 (0:02.4881)
15. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers 1:13.7897 (0:02.5169)
16. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows 1:13.8123 (0:02.5395)
17. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am) 1:13.8375 (0:02.5647)
18. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:14.0746 (0:02.8018)
19. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services 1:14.7350 (0:03.4622)
20. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic / Williams Racing 1:15.1812 (0:03.9084)
21. #20 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue 1:16.0418 (0:04.7690)
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Preview: Round 4, Queensland Raceway
GT3 Cup Challenge prepares for QR endurance battle
Preview: Round 4, Queensland Raceway
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia this weekend commences the second half of its 2018 season as the one-make championship heads to Queensland Raceway.
With three rounds completed this season, young gun Cooper Murray has emerged as the standout Pro contender, taking a 60-point lead into round four, trailed by Simon Fallon and Michelin Junior Max Vidau.
After claiming an impressive 20-second victory in the season's opening endurance race at The Bend Motorsport Park, Murray will eagerly await the hour-long race one at Ipswich, which will feature as the second race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
"I've been to Queensland Raceway in a Formula Ford before with a few good results. I know the track and have performed well there in the past so I can't wait to get there," said Murray, who looks to take a revised approach into the second half of the season.
"I think my season will go into somewhat of a conservative mode – don't take unnecessary risks, get the points and hopefully finish the season in a strong position."
The seven-car Pro class will be boosted by the inclusion of South Australian driver Dan Day, who returns to the series after a significant accident at the Sandown round.
The Pro-Am class continues as the best represented in the series with Danny Stutterd leading the eight-strong field in the class points. Stutterd holds a dominant 104-point advantage over Brett Boulton, while Queensland based Scott Taylor makes his series return this weekend at his local round.
Young racer Christian Pancione will lead a six-strong Class B into the Queensland Raceway weekend, which sees the return of fellow young racer Tom Taplin to the series.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will feature two practice sessions this Friday, followed by qualifying and the 60-minute race one on Saturday and two 20-minute races on Sunday.
To watch Sunday's entire on-track program, including race two and race three of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, visit the event's Live Stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website – thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday July 27
12:10pm Practice 1 (30 minutes)
3:30pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday July 28
11:45am Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:30pm Race 1 (60 minutes)
Sunday July 29
09:30am Race 2 (20 minutes)
11:45am Race 3 (20 minutes)
Entry List
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing
3. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue
4. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
5. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
6. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
7. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate
8. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am)
9. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
10. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
11. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
12. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
13. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts
14. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
15. #87 David Greig (Class B)
16. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
17. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
18. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
19. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic/Williams Racing
20. #222 Scott Taylor (Pro-Am) Scott Taylor Motorsport
21. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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Young gun secured season's first clean sweep
Murray, Stack and Pancione claim Phillip Island victories
Young gun secured season's first clean sweep
A sensational Phillip Island clean sweep has handed young gun Cooper Murray victory in round three of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series, while Ben Stack and Christian Pancione claimed their maiden class round wins.
Murray's faultless weekend began with pole position and a dominant 10-second race one win on Saturday before Murray led race two from its outset, managing the gap to second placed Simon Fallon and third placed Jimmy Vernon to the finish.
Murray's race three victory did not come as easily as his earlier two wins; Fallon gained the lead from the start and retained the front position until lap six, when Murray moved into first place, soon followed by Max Vidau into second, before ultimately claiming the win from Vidau and Fallon.
"I really didn't expect to come away with three race wins here at Phillip Island. I knew that Max and Simon would be really quick as they have had a few test days here, which makes it pretty satisfying to get the results we did," said Murray.
As the season reaches its halfway mark, Murray holds a 47-point lead in the overall standings and a 60-point margin ahead of Fallon in the Pro standings.
"From here we'll make sure we take no risks, get the points and hopefully take the championship at the end of the year," added Murray.
The Pro-Am class featured Sunday's best on-track battles between the class leaders Ben Stack, Danny Stutterd and Marcel Zalloua. After Zalloua claimed Saturday's race one Pro-Am win, Stutterd was the best of the trio in race two before Stack claims Pro-Am honours in race three, with Stutterd and Stack battling head-to-head throughout Sunday's two races.
The race three class win handed Stack his first-ever GT3 Cup Challenge class round victory.
"This is unreal and really unexpected. It was a really tough weekend and Danny and Marcel were putting the pressure on the whole time. I just tried to stay consistent and do what I was told. I'm very happy," said Stack.
"Marcel came out of nowhere yesterday and found some pace later in the weekend and Danny was always there, and these guys make their cars incredibly wide when you try to get past them. They certainly made me work for it."
Second for the round extended Stutterd's Pro-Am points lead to 104 points over Brett Boulton, with Stack closing his margin to second place to just seven points.
Former kart racer Christian Pancione was the class of the Class B field on Sunday at Phillip Island in just his third car racing event.
After placing third in class in Saturday's race one, Pancione claim class victory in Sunday's two races. While he finished equal on points with David Greig, his race three win handed him his maiden class round win. West Australian Andrew Goldie capped a strong weekend with third in Class B for the round.
Pancione departs Phillip Island with a 103-point Class B lead from Phil Morriss, with round one winner Richard Bloomfield placed third in class.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will return for round four at Queensland Raceway on July 27-29, 2018.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 9 | 16:14.6037 | 1:32.0034 |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 9 | 16:17.1707 | 1:32.1184 |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 9 | 16:25.7618 | 1:32.7692 |
| 4 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:32.7875 | 1:33.9878 |
| 5 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:33.0456 | 1:34.0489 |
| 6 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:33.4805 | 1:34.5589 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:36.9123 | 1:34.6205 |
| 8 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 9 | 16:37.0153 | 1:34.3211 |
| 9 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 9 | 16:37.1137 | 1:32.3029 |
| 10 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:38.2135 | 1:34.4905 |
| 11 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:41.4900 | 1:34.7906 |
| 12 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 9 | 16:44.6811 | 1:35.0599 |
| 13 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:55.1420 | 1:36.8044 |
| 14 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 9 | 16:56.0571 | 1:36.6269 |
| 15 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:56.9149 | 1:36.6924 |
| 16 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 9 | 17:01.3815 | 1:37.4191 |
| 17 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 9 | 17:01.7248 | 1:37.2161 |
| 18 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 9 | 17:02.2575 | 1:37.3648 |
| 19 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 9 | 17:02.4110 | 1:37.0148 |
| 20 | 15 | Vince Misuraca | Class B | 9 | 17:02.9191 | 1:37.0413 |
| 21 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 9 | 17:04.0479 | 1:37.6029 |
| 22 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 9 | 17:04.1666 | 1:37.3263 |
| 23 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 9 | 17:14.2899 | 1:38.6678 |
| DNF | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | |||
| DNF | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am |
Results: Race 3
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 12 | 18:43.6219 | 1:32.4566 |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 12 | 18:44.2253 | 1:32.3952 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 12 | 18:49.7427 | 1:33.1176 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 12 | 18:54.2446 | 1:32.8495 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 12 | 19:18.5959 | 1:33.4861 |
| 6 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:18.9500 | 1:34.6360 |
| 7 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:19.2316 | 1:35.0156 |
| 8 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:19.7302 | 1:35.0759 |
| 9 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 12 | 19:28.9878 | 1:35.7793 |
| 10 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:32.5116 | 1:35.0887 |
| 11 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:33.1690 | 1:35.9832 |
| 12 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:37.2994 | 1:35.9269 |
| 13 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:39.2068 | 1:36.6283 |
| 14 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 12 | 19:45.4874 | 1:36.8791 |
| 15 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 12 | 19:46.2437 | 1:37.1011 |
| 16 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:46.7963 | 1:36.6307 |
| 17 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 12 | 19:51.9732 | 1:37.5812 |
| 18 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:52.2830 | 1:37.3645 |
| 19 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:52.4229 | 1:37.4625 |
| 20 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 12 | 19:54.5274 | 1:37.2959 |
| 21 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 12 | 19:54.8954 | 1:36.9074 |
| 22 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 12 | 19:58.0723 | 1:35.3588 |
| 23 | 15 | Vince Misuraca | Class B | 11 | 19:17.1719 | 1:37.1771 |
| 24 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 11 | 20:01.1136 | 1:39.4302 |
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Murray, Stutterd and Pancione win in race two
Murray continues front-running form in race two
Murray, Stutterd and Pancione win in race two
Young gun Cooper Murray has continued his form at the front of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia field with an impressive race two victory.
Murray led from the start from Simon Fallon and Marcel Zalloua, though the race was interrupted by a safety car intervention to retrieve the stationary car of Luis Leeds from the grid.
The race one winner Murray continued at the front on the restart to eventually take the race two win from Fallon and Jimmy Vernon.
Danny Stutterd, in fourth place overall, was the best of the Pro-Am drivers, leading a nose-to-tail Pro-Am battle-pack with Ben Stack and Zalloua at the finish.
Christian Pancione was the best of the Class B runners in 12th outright.
Race three will be held at 12:05pm AEST.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 9 | 16:14.6037 | 1:32.0034 |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 9 | 16:17.1707 | 1:32.1184 |
| 3 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 9 | 16:25.7618 | 1:32.7692 |
| 4 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:32.7875 | 1:33.9878 |
| 5 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:33.0456 | 1:34.0489 |
| 6 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:33.4805 | 1:34.5589 |
| 7 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:36.9123 | 1:34.6205 |
| 8 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 9 | 16:37.0153 | 1:34.3211 |
| 9 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 9 | 16:37.1137 | 1:32.3029 |
| 10 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:38.2135 | 1:34.4905 |
| 11 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:41.4900 | 1:34.7906 |
| 12 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 9 | 16:44.6811 | 1:35.0599 |
| 13 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:55.1420 | 1:36.8044 |
| 14 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 9 | 16:56.0571 | 1:36.6269 |
| 15 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 9 | 16:56.9149 | 1:36.6924 |
| 16 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 9 | 17:01.3815 | 1:37.4191 |
| 17 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 9 | 17:01.7248 | 1:37.2161 |
| 18 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 9 | 17:02.2575 | 1:37.3648 |
| 19 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 9 | 17:02.4110 | 1:37.0148 |
| 20 | 15 | Vince Misuraca | Class B | 9 | 17:02.9191 | 1:37.0413 |
| 21 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 9 | 17:04.0479 | 1:37.6029 |
| 22 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 9 | 17:04.1666 | 1:37.3263 |
| 23 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 9 | 17:14.2899 | 1:38.6678 |
| DNF | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | |||
| DNF | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am |
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Murray, Zalloua and Greig take early Phillip Island honours
Murray claims convincing race one win
Murray, Zalloua and Greig take early Phillip Island honours
Cooper Murray was the standout performer in the opening Phillip Island race for round three of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia championship, while Marcel Zalloua and Ben Stack endured a race-long battle for the Pro-Am lead.
After claiming pole position, Murray took the race one lead into the opening corner but was not able to pull away from the chasing Max Vidau. The duo pushed for the first half of the race until Vidau left the track on lap eight and was thereafter stranded in the turn two run-off area, handing Murray a lengthy margin to his nearest rival, Simon Fallon.
Murray ultimately claimed an impressive 10-second victory from Fallon, with Chelsea Angelo claiming third place; her second top-three result so far this season.
"I'm very happy with the win and it's a great way to start the weekend. The team gave me a great car; I just had to drive it straight to come away with the win," said Murray.
"Max was there at the start and then dropped away, so there wasn't a huge amount of pressure for the final part of the race. It's now great to have a gap in the points in case something does go wrong, but we're not even half way through the season and there's a lot of racing remaining."
Marcel Zalloua and Ben Stack were in a tussle for the Pro-Am lead for the majority of the 11-lap race, a battle that Zalloua ultimately won by a mere 0.3secs. The result was the equal season-best result by a Pro-Am driver in the overall results.
"I'm pretty shocked with the result to be honest. It was an amazing race and it's fantastic to get the Pro-Am win and place fourth overall," said Zalloua.
"I rate myself as pretty much a rookie so to be that far up the order and stay there… I'm pretty chuffed.
"Ben had some heat on me for most of that race. I managed to get past early and I was hanging on for dear life for the rest of the race."
Pro-Am points leader Danny Stutterd placed sixth outright and third in the Pro-Am class from Michelin Junior Jimmy Vernon, Shane Barwood, Sam Fillmore and Luis Leeds; Leeds and Vernon both overcoming opening lap dramas to come through the field and finish in the top 10.
David Greig was the best of the Class B runners, placing 11th outright in his second-generation 997-series 911 GT3 Cup car, with Andrew Goldie and Christian Pancione placing second and third in the class.
The remaining two Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia races at Phillip Island will feature on Sunday, both of which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals live stream, available from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:10am – Race 2 (12 laps)
12:05pm – Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 11 | 17:00.6961 | 1:31.4597 |
| 2 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 11 | 17:10.7848 | 1:32.3714 |
| 3 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 11 | 17:27.9361 | 1:33.2757 |
| 4 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:37.9111 | 1:34.5492 |
| 5 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:38.2174 | 1:34.6571 |
| 6 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:42.7347 | 1:35.0260 |
| 7 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 11 | 17:53.4810 | 1:34.7704 |
| 8 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:54.8600 | 1:35.8023 |
| 9 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 11 | 17:57.1371 | 1:35.3353 |
| 10 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 11 | 17:57.7519 | 1:34.1714 |
| 11 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 11 | 17:58.9734 | 1:35.9598 |
| 12 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:02.8036 | 1:36.4378 |
| 13 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 11 | 18:05.9559 | 1:36.4080 |
| 14 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:06.3408 | 1:35.5271 |
| 15 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:10.5224 | 1:36.6461 |
| 16 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:11.3919 | 1:36.0878 |
| 17 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 11 | 18:11.6310 | 1:35.3632 |
| 18 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:15.9696 | 1:37.3542 |
| 19 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 11 | 18:16.0838 | 1:37.1274 |
| 20 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 11 | 18:16.9304 | 1:37.0133 |
| 21 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 11 | 18:25.2473 | 1:37.1535 |
| 22 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 11 | 18:36.2995 | 1:37.9015 |
| DNF | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 8 | 12:24.5641 | 1:31.6493 |
| DNF | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 6 | 12:23.7976 | 1:39.8349 |
| DNF | 15 | Vince Misuraca | Class B | 1 | 1:48.6803 | 1:48.6803 |
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Justin Leppitsch experiences GT3 Cup Challenge hot lap
Punt Road to Porsche: Richmond coach samples 911 race car
Justin Leppitsch experiences GT3 Cup Challenge hot lap
Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch was a late call up to Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia at Phillip Island… in the passenger seat.
The former Brisbane Lion, with which he won three AFL premierships, came to the third round of GT3 Cup Challenge as a guest of Pro-Am driver Michael Hovey, and ultimately experienced the 4.4km seaside circuit alongside Brett Boulton.
"I've never done anything like that before, or even been in a car that fast in my life. I tried to stay calm and get through it, but it's hard when you're going that fast," said Leppitsch.
"I'm good mates with Michael Hovey and he's been doing it for a while. He told me to come down and do a hot lap and I thought I better do it and get this fear over and done with; and I tell you what, it's just so exciting and I can see why people get hooked and addicted to motor racing."
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Murray, Stack and Pancione top Phillip Island qualifying
0.0841secs: Murray pips Vidau to pole position
Murray, Stack and Pancione top Phillip Island qualifying
Cooper Murray will start race one from pole position at Phillip Island after another sensational qualifying session.
The Melbourne racer posted the time towards the end of the session, relegating Vidau to second for Saturday's race two.
Simon Fallon will start from third from Jimmy Vernon, Luis Leeds and Chelsea Angelo.
Ben Stack was the best of the Pro-Am racers in seventh outright, one place ahead of Class B pacesetter Christian Pancione.
Race one will be held at 1:25pm.
Race Schedule
Saturday June 2, 2018
1:25pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (12 laps)
12:05pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Qualifying
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest Lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:30.7892* | |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:30.8733 | 0:00.0841 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:31.1972 | 0:00.4080 |
| 4 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:31.3636 | 0:00.5744 |
| 5 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:31.5957 | 0:00.8065 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:32.2537 | 0:01.4645 |
| 7 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 1:33.0781 | 0:02.2889 |
| 8 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:33.6083 | 0:02.8191 |
| 9 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 1:33.7290 | 0:02.9398 |
| 10 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:33.7755 | 0:02.9863 |
| 11 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:33.8566 | 0:03.0674 |
| 12 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:33.8645 | 0:03.0753 |
| 13 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:34.0383 | 0:03.2491 |
| 14 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:34.0612 | 0:03.2720 |
| 15 | 15 | Vince Misuraca | Class B | 1:34.4099 | 0:03.6207 |
| 16 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:34.5275 | 0:03.7383 |
| 17 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 1:34.8779 | 0:04.0887 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:35.2177 | 0:04.4285 |
| 19 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:35.3451 | 0:04.5559 |
| 20 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 1:35.4152 | 0:04.6260 |
| 21 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:35.5608 | 0:04.7716 |
| 22 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1:35.6793 | 0:04.8901 |
| 23 | 117 | Sergio Pires | Class B | 1:36.0897 | 0:05.3005 |
| 24 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 1:36.2858 | 0:05.4966 |
| 25 | 9 | Tony Martin | Class B | 1:40.2174 | 0:09.4282 |
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News
Murray leads Vidau with impressive Friday pace
Cooper Murray and Max Vidau were Friday's standout drivers as the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series kicks off round three, both setting blistering practice pace at Phillip Island.
Vidau was the practice one pacesetter, posting a time of 1:31.741, which placed the South Australian at the top of the times, a mere 00.012secs ahead of Murray and over 1.5 seconds ahead of their nearest rival.
Series leader Murray then turned the tables in practice two with a 1:31.4296 lap time, 0.2secs ahead of Vidau and over a second ahead of the third best driver, setting up the weekend for a battle between the two talented teenagers.
"It's tight at the front between me and Max. It has been a great battle across the past two rounds and I can't wait to see what's in store for this round," said Murray.
"I've been here in a Formula Ford a few times so I definitely have confidence around this place, but I probably have more confidence around here in the Porsche. It's only Friday so we'll see how I go tomorrow for qualifying and race one."
Vidau is also eager to continue his battle with Murray, this time at the picturesque Victorian circuit.
"Both practice sessions were super close in times between myself and Cooper. We've run close in every round this year and I'm expecting another close battle here this weekend," said Vidau.
"My first and second sector is pretty good and I just need to work on my final sector ahead of tomorrow, but overall we're pretty much there."
Ben Stack was the best of the Pro-Am drivers across the two practice sessions from class points leader Danny Stutterd, Brett Boulton and Sam Fillmore.
Christian Pancione continued his impressive pace in his Class B Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, sneaking into the top 10 practice times with ninth overall from class rivals David Greig, series newcomer Vince Misuraca, Andrew Goldie and Sergio Pires.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will return to the track at 10:30am AEST on Saturday for qualifying before the opening Phillip Island race at 1:25pm. The remaining two races will feature on Sunday, both of which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals live stream, available from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday June 2, 2018
10:30am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:25pm Race 1 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
12:05pm Race 3 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
Results: Practice 1 & 2 (combined)
1. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing – 01:31.4
2. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic/Bob Jane T Marts – 01:31.6
3. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing – 01:32.7
4. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing – 01:32.9
5. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security – 01:33.1
6. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway – 01:33.4
7. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) DNA Racing – 01:33.8
8. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker – 01:34.5
9. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance – 01:34.9
10. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living – 01:35.0
11. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker – 01:35.3
12. #87 David Greig (Class B) Daikin – 01:35.4
13. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont – 01:35.4
14. #15 Vince Misuraca (Class B) Pie-Face/United Petroleum – 01:35.5
15. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic/Williams Racing – 01:35.5
16. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue – 01:35.6
17. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows – 01:36.5
18. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 01:36.5
19. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc – 01:36.6
20. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers – 01:36.7
21. #117 Sergio Pires (Class B) 360 Motorsport – 01:36.8
22. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey – 01:37.2
23. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach – 01:37.5
24. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue – 01:37.7
25. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services – 01:37.8
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News
Here is what to expect from round three at Phillip Island
Fresh faces and young challengers set for The Island
Here is what to expect from round three at Phillip Island
After two thrilling Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia rounds, the one-make sports car series returns for round three at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with 25 entries as the three-class battle continues.
With two race wins apiece, young Melbourne trio Cooper Murray, Max Vidau and Simon Fallon will continue their fight at the front of the Pro class. Luis Leeds enters the Phillip Island round off the back of his maiden Porsche podium at Sandown while Chelsea Angelo returns after a heavy race two accident at Sandown ended her round two campaign prematurely, which followed a season-high result of second place in race two.
The Pro-Am class continues to be the best represented in the 25-car Porsche field, with Danny Stutterd continuing to lead the charge among the 11-strong Pro-Am grid.
Stutterd, the only driver to feature on both the Tailem Bend and Sandown Pro-Am podiums, holds a 55-point lead in the class over Brett Boulton and Michael Hovey in third.
Marcel Zalloua and Graham Williams return to the Pro-Am class following their Sandown absence, while Ross McGregor, one event after reaching his maiden Pro-Am class podium, will move to equal fourth on the list of most round starts with his 26th GT3 Cup Challenge appearance.
Class B will see three drivers make their first appearance for the season, two of which will be series debutants. Tony Martin makes his first series start since the penultimate 2017 round at Queensland Raceway with his ex-Craig Baird triple Carrera Cup title winning 911 GT3 Cup race car. Vince Misuraca and Sergio Pires are two other additions at Phillip Island, both making their maiden GT3 Cup Challenge appearance.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will feature two practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and race one on Saturday and two additional sprint races on Sunday.
As per all Shannons Nationals events, Sunday's racing, including the final two Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia races of the weekend, can be viewed live on the event's live stream, available from the Shannons Nationals' website at www.thenationals.com.au and Facebook page.
Race Schedule
Friday June 1, 2018
11:10am Practice 1(30 minutes)
1:45pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday June 2, 2018
10:30am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:25pm Race 1 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
12:05pm Race 3 (20 minutes, TBC laps)
Entry List: Round 3, Phillip Island
1. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing
2. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue
3. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc
4. #15 Vince Misuraca (Class B) Pie-Face/United Petroleum
5. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
6. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont
7. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
8. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
9. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
10. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach
11. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
12. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
13. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey
14. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) DNA Racing
15. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
16. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
17. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic/Bob Jane T Marts
18. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
19. #87 David Greig (Class B) Daikin
20. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
21. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
22. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
23. #117 Sergio Pires (Class B) 360 Motorsport
24. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic/Williams Racing
25. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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News
Supercup to feature unprecedented GT3 Cup Challenge talent
Monaco grid breaks GT3 Cup Challenge record
Supercup to feature unprecedented GT3 Cup Challenge talent
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has long been a platform for drivers – young and not-so-young – to further their motor racing career.
This weekend, we see evidence of its effectiveness on the other side of the globe.
Matt Campbell became the first GT3 Cup Challenge Australia graduate to contest the pinnacle Porsche one-make series, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Earlier this month, Singapore based driver Yuey Tan became the second after his Barcelona debut. Later this week in Monaco, Stephen Grove becomes just the third driver to do so.
This therefore means that Grove will become just the second Australian driver to climb Australia's Porsche Motorsport Pyramid – from GT3 Cup Challenge Australia through to Carrera Cup Australia and ultimately Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
However…
Never before has two former GT3 Cup Challenge Australia drivers raced on the top one-make stage at the same time… something that Grove and Tan will achieve this weekend.
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News
2008-2018: GT3 Cup Challenge's 10th anniversary
**10TH ANNIVERSARY: 2008-2018**
May 17, 2018, marks the 10th anniversary of GT3 Cup Challenge racing in Australia.
On May 17, 2008, a 13-car field started the first ever GT3 Cup Challenge race at Mallala Motorsport Park, with local Graeme Cook winning the uninterrupted 10-lap race.
60 rounds and 179 races later, the thriving Porsche series has featured a total of 186 drivers across 12 different race circuits.
To commemorate the milestone, we look back at the key stats and facts from the past 10 years.
HISTORY
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia was first held in 2008. A series created for Porsche racing enthusiasts, it features a range of different models of Porsche racecars, catering in particular for 991, 997 and even 996 models previous raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
THE CHAMPIONS
2008 Sven Burchartz
2009 Matt Kingsley
2010 Roger Lago
2011 Roger Lago
2012 Kane Rose
2013 Richard Muscat (Professional), John Goodacre (Elite)
2014 Fraser Ross (Class A), Matt Campbell (Class B) 6 round series
2015 Ryan Simpson (Professional), Geoff Emery (Elite), Aaron Seton (Class B)
2016 Hamish Hardeman (Professional), Tim Miles (Elite), Shane Barwood (Class B)
2017 Jordan Love (Professional), Anthony Gilbertson (Elite), David Greig (Class B)
THE RUNNERS-UP (OUTRIGHT)
2008 Jeff Bobik
2009 Sven Burchartz
2010 Matt Kingsley
2011 Jeff Bobik
2012 Jeff Bobik
2013 John Goodacre
2014 Jon McCorkindale
2015 Dylan O'Keeffe
2016 Jaxon Evans
2017 Brenton Grove
997 CLASS CHAMPIONS
2009 Roger Lago
2010 Roger Lago
2011 Roger Lago
2012 Kane Rose
996 CLASS CHAMPIONS
2009 Matt Kingsley
2010 Matt Kingsley
2011 Terry Knight
Note: In 2009, 997 Cup Cars were permitted to run with the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, one year earlier than expected given Porsche Carrera Cup Australia went on hiatus. These 997 cars raced for points in their own 997 Class, though were not awarded outright points and, thus, have not been credited in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Record Book with outright race wins, poles or podiums, even when they perhaps crossed the line first or qualified fastest on that weekend. All statistics in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Record Book relate to 'Outright Results'.
JIM RICHARDS ENDURANCE TROPHY WINNERS
2011 Roger Lago
2012 Kane Rose
2013 Richard Muscat
2014 Fraser Ross
2015 James Abela
2016 Jaxon Evans
2017 Jordan Love
Note: The Jim Richards Endurance Trophy was first held in 2011 as a series within the GT3 Cup Challenge. Totaling three individual endurance races at three different tracks within the overall championship (typically 40 laps), the driver with the most points is awarded the trophy named in honour of the Australasian racing legend and Porsche ambassador, Jim Richards.
WINNING RECORDS
From 2008 to 2017, there have been 60 rounds of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series and a total of 179 individual races held at those rounds. Of those 179 races, three have been declared 'no races'. In 2008 at Phillip Island, Race 3 was cancelled after a barrier was damaged on the warm up lap and repairs and a tight event schedule forced the cancellation of the race. In 2009 at Eastern Creek, Race 2 was declared a 'no race' after a multi-car accident on the opening lap caused a Safety Car and ultimately a red flag with the race declared. In 2010 at Bathurst, Race 2 was abandoned due to torrential rain prior to the race.
MOST ROUND WINS
1. Matt Kingsley (8)
2. Ryan Simpson (6)
3. Kane Rose (5)
4. Richard Muscat, Jordan Love (4)
6. Roger Lago, Jeff Bobik, John Goodacre, Fraser Ross, Jaxon Evans (3)
11. Jon McCorkindale, Hamish Hardeman (2)
13. Graeme Cook, Bill Pye, Sven Burchartz, Tony Quinn, Rodney Forbes, Jon Trende, John Modystach, Brent Odgers, Michael Almond, Matt Campbell, Sam Shahin, John Karytinos, Max Vidau, Cooper Murray (1)
MOST RACE WINS
1. Matt Kingsley (24)
2. Ryan Simpson (17)
3. Jordan Love (15)
4. Jeff Bobik, Kane Rose, Richard Muscat (13)
7. Jaxon Evans (9)
8. Fraser Ross (8)
9. Hamish Hardeman (6)
10. Jon McCorkindale (5)
11. Roger Lago, Michael Almond, John Goodacre (4)
14. Bill Pye, Graeme Cook, Sven Burchartz, Tony Quinn, John Modystach, Philip Woodbury, Matt Campbell, Brenton Grove (3)
22. Jon Trende, Max Vidau, Simon Fallon, Cooper Murray (2)
26. Rodney Forbes, Terry Knight, Shaun Juniper, Keith Wong, Ivan Klasan, Brent Odgers, Geoff Emery, James Abela, Dylan O'Keeffe (1)
MOST POLE POSITIONS
1. Matt Kingsley (9)
2. Ryan Simpson (6)
3. Kane Rose, Richard Muscat (5)
5. Jon Trende, Fraser Ross, Jaxon Evans, Jordan Love (4)
9. Sven Burchartz, Philip Woodbury, Hamish Hardeman (2)
12. Graeme Cook, Tony Quinn, Rodney Forbes, Jeff Bobik, Roger Lago, Michael Almond, John Goodacre, Jon McCorkindale, Matt Campbell, Brenton Grove, Anthony Gilbertson, Simon Fallon, Cooper Murray (1)
RACE LAP RECORDS
BATHURST
Tony Quinn – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup – 2m16.7271s 2009
MALLALA
John Goodacre – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m09.0918s 2014
MORGAN PARK (EXTENDED CIRCUIT – 3KM)
Matt Kingsley – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup – 1m17.6231s 2010
ORAN PARK
Bill Pye – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup – 1m12.6063s 2008
PHILLIP ISLAND
Matt Campbell – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m31.1140s 2014
QUEENSLAND RACEWAY
Ryan Simpson – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m10.9903s 2015
SANDOWN
Max Vidau – Porsche 991 GT3 Cup – 1m11.1226s 2018
SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK (FORMERLY EASTERN CREEK)
Jaxon Evans – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m30.8692s 2016
SYMMONS PLAINS
Matt Kingsley – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup – 54.5152s 2010
THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK
Cooper Murray – Porsche 991 GT3 Cup – 1m53.9778s 2018
WAKEFIELD PARK
Roger Lago – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m00.7828s 2011
WINTON
Hamish Hardeman – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup – 1m21.8259s 2016
ROUND STARTS (MAX. 60)
1. John Goodacre (34)
2. John Morriss (32)
3. Jeff Bobik (27)
4. Sam Shahin (26)
5. Ross McGregor (25)
6. Terry Knight (24)
7. Jon Trende (22)
8. John Karytinos (21)
9. Tim Miles (20)
10. Paul Bolinowsky (18)
11. Jan Jinadasa, Roger Lago, Scott Taylor, Sven Burchartz, Shane Barwood (17)
16. Matt Kingsley, Indiran Padayachee, Anthony Skinnner, Fraser Ross, Jon McCorkindale, Phil Morriss (15)
22. Brad Rankin, John Modystach, Stephen Grove (14)
25. Ray Angus, Peter Fitzgerald, Michael Tsigeridis (13)
28. Mark Krashos, Rob Knight, Michael Almond, Philip Woodbury, Grant Sparks, Brian Finn, Jaxon Evans, Anthony Gilbertson (12)
36. Kane Rose, Steven McFadden (11)
Note: All up, 186 drivers have competed in Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia. There are 146 drivers with less than 10 round starts and of those, 46 that have made a single round start.
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News
Porsche series concludes stunning Sandown round
Murray, Stutterd and Greig secure Sandown victory
Porsche series concludes stunning Sandown round
An impressive comeback from young gun Cooper Murray has seen the Melbourne driver claim a home win in the second round of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia at Sandown Raceway, while Danny Stutterd and David Greig were the best of their respective classes.
After a horrid race one on Saturday, Murray improved to third in Sunday morning's race two before claiming a convincing victory in the final race. The race three win placed Murray level on points with Simon Fallon, who won the opening two races though dropped to fifth by the race three chequered flag. A half-points scenario in the shortened race two reduced Fallon's points haul, allowing Murray to claim to top step of the Sandown podium.
"I'm very happy with the win, especially on home turf. We were lucky enough to get by Simon on the last race and pull away with the round win. We reduced what could have been a terrible race one by recovering to finish seventh, and continued to improve in the next two races. It's great to finally get the round win," said Murray.
A consistent weekend for Luis Leeds saw the former international open wheel driver take third place on the Pro round podium after claiming two thirds and a second place.
Stutterd's Pro-Am round victory didn't come easily; Brett Boulton pushed the now-class leader every step of the way. Stutterd took victory in the first and third races of the Sandown round, while Boulton was the class star in race two and ultimately placed second for the round.
"It was a very good round. It started nicely in race one, race two was a bit ordinary but the final race was fantastic and I have to congratulate Brett for the way he raced this weekend. It was cool racing and really great competition between the two of us," said Stutterd.
One of the round highlights was Ross McGregor's first visit to the Pro-Am podium in his 25th round appearance in the Porsche one-make series.
Meanwhile, it didn't take long for Greig to return to the top of Class B. The 2017 class champion missed the opening round at The Bend Motorsport Park but returned at Sandown to score two seconds and a first to secure the Class B round win from Phil Morriss and Christian Pancione.
The hard-luck story for the round was Chelsea Angelo. After placing second in race one, the Michelin Junior was challenging for the race two lead before making heavy contact with the barrier at the entry to turn nine, causing event-ending damage to her 911 GT3 Cup.
Murray now holds a nine-point lead in the Pro standings from Vidau, with Fallon 26 points further behind. Stutterd leads Boulton by 55 points in the Pro-Am points while Pancione holds a 51-point advantage over Phil Morriss in the Class B standings.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia returns for round three at Phillip Island on June 01-03, 2018.
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News
Fallon, Stutterd and Pancione share race one spoils
Fallon leads Angelo to race one victory
Fallon, Stutterd and Pancione share race one spoils
The young talent of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia has continued to deliver sensational on-track action during the series' Sandown event, with Simon Fallon leading Chelsea Angelo and Luis Leeds to the race one chequered flag.
Max Vidau was the leading driver from the start, while pole-sitter Cooper Murray dropped down the order after a slower launch off the line. It didn't take Murray long to reach the leading duo and eventually challenge Vidau for the lead on the final corner of lap four. Contact between the two saw Vidau lose a position to Fallon while Murray returned to the pits with a puncture; the impact of which was lessened due to a safety car period at the same time to retrieve Tom Taplin from the turn nine gravel.
While Vidau was challenging Fallon in the closing laps, Angelo continued to pressure the leading duo. When Vidau went for the lead on lap 13, Angelo capitalised and ultimately passed the round one winner and moved into second place.
Fallon ultimately claimed the win from Angelo in second, the best result of the season for the leading duo. Vidau placed third narrowly ahead of Luis Leeds, however Vidau was handed a 26-second pit lane post-race penalty and consequently relegated to 12th. Murray recovered to finish seventh outright and fourth in class.
"That was great. I probably didn't drive to the best of my ability as I was focussing on the guys behind me too much. But at the end of the day I'm happy to come away with the win. It's great to get a race win so early in the season," said Fallon.
"The team has been mega getting me up to speed and teaching me how to drive the GT3 Cup car. Yesterday was difficult with the weather but to come away with the win today is unreal."
Angelo was also pleased with her best performance of the season.
"I'm stoked. My goal this weekend was to get into the top three and if I made it into the top three I'd be over the moon. It was a good clean race and I nailed my start," said Angelo.
"I think having the strong start helped me get to the front. I entered Sandown more confident and comfortable as I know the track well. It certainly helped to allow me to be part of the close racing towards the front of the field."
The best of the Pro-Am racers was Danny Stutterd, who finished just ahead of class rival Brett Boulton in fourth outright. Boulton placed second in class from Rob Woods, Ross McGregor, Michael Hovey, Michael Loccisano, Sam Fillmore, Ben Stack and Shane Barwood.
"I was really rapt to be up with the younger drivers. I got a very good start and at Sandown you can tuck in behind the car in front and race with them for a bit. As one of the older drivers out there, I'm pretty happy to be in the top five," said Stutterd.
Christian Pancione continued his impressive run in Class B, placing sixth outright and first in class. Pancione's closest class rival was ninth-placed David Greig from Phil Morriss and Richard Bloomfield.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia returns for two races on Sunday, both of which can be viewed via live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website – www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday May 13, 2018
9:10am Race 2
1:40pm Race 3
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 14 | 21:42.8087 | 1:12.3945 | |
| 2 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 14 | 21:43.5314 | 1:12.1454 | |
| 3 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 14 | 21:44.7061 | 1:12.0621 | |
| 4 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 14 | 21:51.0859 | 1:13.7452 | |
| 5 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 14 | 21:51.3453 | 1:13.7130 | |
| 6 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 14 | 21:52.0017 | 1:13.6595 | |
| 7 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 14 | 21:54.3790 | 1:12.1362 | |
| 8 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:00.6814 | 1:14.7525 | |
| 9 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 14 | 22:05.3455 | 1:15.6561 | |
| 10 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:06.2930 | 1:15.5180 | |
| 11 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:06.4506 | 1:15.2607 | |
| 12 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 14 | 22:10.4007 | 1:12.5382 | |
| 13 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 14 | 22:12.3344 | 1:15.9686 | |
| 14 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:14.1656 | 1:16.2228 | |
| 15 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:14.3482 | 1:16.1079 | |
| 16 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:16.5253 | 1:13.2728 | |
| 17 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 14 | 22:25.7840 | 1:15.5761 | |
| 18 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 14 | 22:34.9606 | 1:15.9293 | |
| 19 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 11 | 22:14.6039 | 1:15.8294 | |
| DNF | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro |
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News
Leading duo fill Sandown front row
Murray secures Sandown pole
Leading duo fill Sandown front row
Young gun Cooper Murray has secured pole position for Saturday's race one as the series battle continues at Sandown Raceway.
Following the exciting season opener at The Bend Motorsport Park where Murray and Max Vidau battled for the top spot, the duo now find themselves on the front row of the race one grid.
Vidau placed second in qualifying from The Bend pole-sitter Simon Fallon and Michelin Junior Chelsea Angelo.
Danny Stutterd was the best of the Pro-Am runner while Christian Pancione will lead the Class B field into race one.
Race Schedule
Saturday May 12, 2018
2:55pm Race 1 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Sunday May 13, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:40pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 1:10.8161 | |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 1:11.2597 | 0:00.4436 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 1:11.5434 | 0:00.7273 |
| 4 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 1:11.5619 | 0:00.7458 |
| 5 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 1:11.7260 | 0:00.9099 |
| 6 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 1:12.3093 | 0:01.4932 |
| 7 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 1:12.3121 | 0:01.4960 |
| 8 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 1:12.4283 | 0:01.6122 |
| 9 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 1:12.7789 | 0:01.9628 |
| 10 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 1:13.2662 | 0:02.4501 |
| 11 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 1:13.5967 | 0:02.7806 |
| 12 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 1:13.8420 | 0:03.0259 |
| 13 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 1:14.1207 | 0:03.3046 |
| 14 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 1:14.4592 | 0:03.6431 |
| 15 | 87 | David Greig | Class B | 1:14.5206 | 0:03.7045 |
| 16 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 1:14.5406 | 0:03.7245 |
| 17 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 1:14.8402 | 0:04.0241 |
| 18 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | 1:15.3711 | 0:04.5550 | |
| 19 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 1:15.4134 | 0:04.5973 |
| 20 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 1:15.6501 | 0:04.8340 |
| 21 | 27 | Sam Fillmore | Pro-Am | 1:15.6846 | 0:04.8685 |
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News
Vidau, Stutterd and Pancione quickest in Sandown practice
Youngsters quickest in showery Sandown practice
Vidau, Stutterd and Pancione quickest in Sandown practice
Two standout rookies in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series, Max Vidau and Cooper Murray, have completed promising final preparations ahead of qualifying for the second round of the Porsche series at Sandown Raceway, despite the horrid Melbourne weather.
Murray was the best of the 21-strong Porsche field in opening practice when the Melbourne weather was at its worst, while Vidau was the quickest in the dryer second session.
Vidau's time of 1:20.2474 was posted on his final lap of practice two, 0.4secs ahead of Murray. Luis Leeds, Chelsea Angelo and Simon Fallon finished closely behind the leading duo with the third, fourth and fifth quickest practice times.
"It was fairly different out there today. It was windy and wet, so it wasn't the nicest to drive out there today, but you have to learn to drive in those conditions at some point," said Vidau.
"It was a bit nicer driving in those conditions with a roof over your head than in a Formula Ford. They're good to drive in the wet as you have plenty of rear grip. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's qualifying and race one. I'm expecting the top few drivers to be super close, despite the conditions."
The leading Pro-Am and Class B performers were not far off the pace of the leading Pro racers.
Pro-Am racer Danny Stutterd was the sixth quickest in Friday practice, 1.49secs off Vidau, while Class B pacesetter Christian Pancione was one-tenth further behind in seventh outright in his 997-series 911 GT3 Cup.
Michael Hovey was the next best Pro-Am driver in ninth outright from Brett Boulton, Ben Stack, newcomer Sam Fillmore and Shane Barwood.
Meanwhile behind Pancione, fellow young gun Tom Taplin was the second best Class B driver from Phil Morriss, returning Class B champion David Greig and class points leader Richard Bloomfield.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold its qualifying and race one on Saturday ahead of Sunday's race two and race three, both of which can be viewed via live stream at the Shannons Nationals website – www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday May 12, 2018
11:00am Qualifying (20mins)
2:55pm Race 1 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Sunday May 13, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:40pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Results: Combined times – Practice 1 & 2
1. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) 1:20.2474
2. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) 1:20.6589 (0:00.4115)
3. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) 1:21.0198 (0:00.7724)
4. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) 1:21.0768 (0:00.8294)
5. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) 1:21.5616 (0:01.3142)
6. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) 1:21.7388 (0:01.4914)
7. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) 1:21.8657 (0:01.6183)
8. #2 Dan Day (Pro) 1:22.3282 (0:02.0808)
9. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) 1:22.7896 (0:02.5422)
10. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) 1:23.2416 (0:02.9942)
11. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) 1:23.2904 (0:03.0430)
12. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) 1:23.5574 (0:03.3100)
13. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) 1:23.6248 (0:03.3774)
14. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am) 1:23.7607 (0:03.5133)
15. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) 1:24.1291 (0:03.8817)
16. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) 1:24.2864 (0:04.0390)
17. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) 1:25.6754 (0:05.4280)
18. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:26.3573 (0:06.1099)
19. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) 1:26.6863 (0:06.4389)
20. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) 1:28.2315 (0:07.9841)
21. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) 1:30.7385 (0:10.4911)
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Here's what to expect as GT3 Cup Challenge enters round two
Young guns continue 2018 battle at Sandown
Here's what to expect as GT3 Cup Challenge enters round two
After a spectacular battle at The Bend Motorsport Park in April, teenage racing sensations Max Vidau and Cooper Murray will continue their tussle at round two of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia this weekend at Sandown Raceway.
The opening 2018 event at Tailem Bend provided some of the best battles in the series' decade-long history, with Vidau ending the weekend as the series' 25th different outright round winner. Race one winner Murray and Vidau (race two and race three victor) also became the 32nd and 33rd different race winners in GT3 Cup Challenge history.
The last time the Melbourne-based duo faced-off at Sandown was in Formula Fords, and Vidau is eager to continue to battle in identical 911 GT3 Cup race cars.
"I've always liked Sandown in the Formula Ford. I haven't been there in the Porsche yet but, as there are plenty of bumps and kerbs, I think it will be a really good experience when racing there in the GT3 Cup car. There's some really tough competition in the series, especally from Cooper, so I'm looking forward to continuing the battle at Sandown" said Vidau.
"I've always liked Sandown when racing there in the Formula Ford. I haven't been there in the Porsche yet, though as there are plenty of bumps and kerbs, I think it will be a really good experience in the GT3 Cup car," said Vidau.
"There's some really tough competition in GT3 Cup Challenge at the moment, especally from Cooper, so I'm looking forward to continuing the battle at Sandown this weekend."
Trailing the leading Pro pair at The Bend was Simon Fallon, who claimed pole position and placed third for the round. Fallon return at Sandown along with fellow Pro racers Luis Leeds, Jimmy Vernon, Chelsea Angelo and Dan Day.
The battle in Pro-Am will heat up this weekend at Sandown. With class leader Sam Shahin completing his one-off appearance at The Bend, his departure opens the door to several rival Pro-Am racers to grab the top spot in the class.
Danny Stutterd enters the Melbourne round as the next best Pro-Am ranked driver after placing second at The Bend, 28 points ahead of third placed Ben Stack.
The nine-car Pro-Am class continues to be the largest in the field with the return of Michael Loccisano, Shane Barwood, Rob Woods, Michael Hovey, Brett Boulton and Ross McGregor, who moves to fifth in the list of most round starts in his 25th GT3 Cup Challenge appearance.
Pro-Am also includes series newcomer Sam Fillmore. While Fillmore is a GT3 Cup Challenge debutant, he has recent experience in the GT3 Cup race car in both the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour and 24H COTA USA 2017 endurance race at Circuit of the Americas.
Six cars will make up the Class B field this weekend, which includes reigning class champion David Grieg. The Queensland based driver missed the opening round in South Australia but returns at Sandown, as does part-time GT3 Cup Challenge participant Tony Martin. The duo join fellow Class B runners Tom Taplin, Phil Morriss, Christian Pancione and Richard Bloomfield, who currently leads the class standings following his success at The Bend.
The sprint round of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will feature two practice session on Friday, qualifying and race one on Saturday, followed by two races on Sunday, both of which can be viewed via live stream at the Shannons Nationals website – thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday May 11, 2018
11:20am Practice 1(30 minutes)
1:45pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday May 12, 2018
11:00am Qualifying (20mins)
2:55pm Race 1 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Sunday May 13, 2018
9:10am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:40pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Entry List: Round 2, Sandown Raceway
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro)
3. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) The Triffid Bar + Venue
4. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc
5. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
6. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
7. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate
8. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am)
9. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach
10. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
11. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
12. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey
13. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) DNA Racing
14. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
15. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
16. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic/Bob Jane T Marts
17. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
18. #87 David Greig (Class B)
19. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
20. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
21. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
22. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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Former champion starts WEC at Spa
Matt Campbell will this weekend begin his 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign as part of the six-strong Porsche 911 RSR line-up at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 5, 2018.
The Class B champion of the 2014 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season, Campbell will be part of the FIA WEC Super Season, which spans eight events across 15 months, starting this weekend at the 7km Belgian circuit.
Campbell, who graduated the series to become the 2016 Carrera Cup Australia champion and current Porsche Young Professional, will race in the Dempsey Proton Racing 911 RSR, also in GTE-Am, with German Christian Ried and French Porsche Junior Julien Andlauer.
The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 5, 2018, kicks off the Super Season of the FIA World Endurance Championship. On the time-honoured racetrack in the Ardennes region of Belgium, six 510 hp Porsche 911 RSR go up against strong opposition from Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari and Ford in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes.
The race
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which is approximately 20km from the German border, sets motorsport fans' hearts racing: The 7.004km circuit is an electrifying mix of high-speed passages such as the famous Eau Rouge and slower sections. An altitude difference of around 100 metres makes the season-opening round into a rollercoaster ride. One unpredictable factor in the Ardennes is the weather: The sun can be shining in the Bus Stop chicane, while in Le Combes it's raining.
The Porsche GT Team drivers
Sharing the cockpit of the #91 car, the new driver pairing of Gianmaria Bruni (Italy) and Richard Lietz (Austria) tackles a world sports car championship race for the first time together. Bruni, as the two-time champion, has contested the second half of the 2017 IMSA Weathertech Championship in the USA and is thus well acquainted with the 911 RSR. Like last year, Kévin Estre (France) and Michael Christensen (Denmark) share the # 92 Porsche 911 RSR.
The customer teams
In the GTE-Am class, three Porsche customer teams run a total of four 911 RSR racers. The British pilots Wainwright and Barker join forces with Australian Alex Davison to compete for Gulf Racing. Dempsey Proton Racing competes with two GT racers from Weissach. Sharing the wheel of the #77 car for the Super Season are the Porsche Young Professional Campbell (Australia), Ried (Germany) and Andlauer (France). Porsche Young Professional Matteo Cairoli (Italy), Khaled Al Qubaisi (United Arab Emirates) and Giorgio Roda (Italy) pilot the second 911 RSR of the squad supported by the Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey. The Porsche works driver Jörg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Lindsey (USA) and Norwegian Egidio Perfetti drive for the Project 1 team.
The Porsche 911 RSR
After securing runner-up in the driver's championship thanks to Richard Lietz and Fréderic Makowiecki in 2017, the Porsche GT Team has now set its sights on the driver's and manufacturer's title in the world sports car championship. The Porsche 911 RSR celebrated its premiere in international long-distance racing in 2017 and is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car. Depending on the restrictor, the water-cooled four-litre flat-six engine puts out around 510 hp.
The schedule
The six-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps begins on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 22:30 hrs AEST (14:30 hrs local time).
The race on TV and the internet
The final stages of the Spa-Francorchamps race can be viewed in Australia on Eurosport (Channel 511) from 01:15 to 03:45 AEST on Sunday May 06. For a fee, the FIA WEC app offers a live stream of the entire race plus live timing.
Pre-race quotes
Matt Campbell (Porsche 911 RSR #77): "For me, the six-hour race at Spa is the second most important event after the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Kicking off the season with such a highlight is a big challenge. The sports car world championship is a big step in my career. I still need to gain experience in the 911 RSR, however the official tests were very promising. Our car offers a lot of downforce and that gives us drivers a great deal of confidence."
Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser (Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars): "Our Porsche GT Team is facing a long and exciting season. The Prologue in Le Castellet underlined that we're ready for this task. Together with the three customer teams, the fans can look forward to seeing six Porsche 911 RSR in action at the first race in the Ardennes. For all the drivers and motorsport enthusiasts, the racetrack is a very special place. This huge interest motivates us even more to fight for victory in both categories and to show them what potential our 911 RSR has. It's important for us to make a good start into the Super Season before we tackle Le Mans with ten of our 911 RSR."
Pascal Zurlinden (Director GT Factory Motorsport): "The Spa circuit stands for top-league motor racing and throws very special challenges at drivers and the 911 RSR. You can only fight for victory on this diverse racetrack with the right setup. The entire team knows the importance of the season-opener and is perfectly prepared."
The Sports Car World Endurance Championship
In the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC), which has been held since 2012, sports prototypes and GT vehicles contest four classes: LMP1, LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am. They all compete together in one race but are classified separately. The Porsche GT Team contests the GTE-Pro class, while the customer teams Dempsey Proton Racing, Project 1 and Gulf Racing fight for honours in the GTE-Am class.
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We look back to a Carrera Cup race winner
#Flashback: Leeds' AGP winner
We look back to a Carrera Cup race winner
It's a story that starts at the infamous turn eight at the Adelaide 500 circuit and continues to remarkable success at Albert Park.
This 2014-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup was first campaigned by Adelaide racer Michael Almond, who took delivery of the first generation 991-series racer at the official Porsche Carrera Cup Australia pre-season test on January 16, 2014, at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Two months later, the car joined the 23-car Carrera Cup field, though was soon sidelined after heavy impact with the inside wall at the exit of turn eight during qualifying. Quick repair work by the Adelaide-based Buik Motorworks had the car back on track for race two, where Almond charged through the field to place 13th. Ultimately, Almond would finish seventh in the championship.
Cam McConville was slated to race the 911 GT3 Cup for the 2015 season and had a strong start to the year, placing second outright at Albert Park for round two. Following a frustrating Pro-Am event at Phillip Island, where McConville was joined by John Goodacre, the former Supercars racer was forced to depart the series leaving room for the incoming John Martin. The Queensland racer campaigned the Buik-run GT3 Cup for the remainder of the season.
In 2016, Alex Davison would replace Martin with immediate success. At round two, Davison was dominant at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, winning three of the four Carrera Cup races at the Melbourne event. A strong performance for the remainder of the season, which included four more race victories, saw Davison place second in the standings to the unstoppable Matt Campbell.
McConville would return to the GT3 Cup the following season and, again, take the car to Albert Park victory lane, and ultimately place seventh for the season.
Thereafter, the car was purchased by Supercars team 23Red Racing, which would run it in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series with young international open wheel ace Luis Leeds for the 2018 season.
Drivers:
Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia
2014: Michael Almond, John Karytinos (Pro-Am)
2015: Cam McConville, John Goodacre (Pro-Am), John Martin
2016: Alex Davison, David Calvert-Jones (Pro-Am)
2017: Cam McConville, Tony Bates (Pro-Am)
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
2018: Luis Leeds
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Vidau, Shahin and Bloomfield win in South Australia
Epic finale concludes successful opener at The Bend
Vidau, Shahin and Bloomfield win in South Australia
An epic young gun battle and a worthy Pro-Am winner highlighted the conclusion of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round at The Bend Motorsport Park.
After Cooper Murray and Max Vidau each claimed a race win across the opening two races, the third race saw the duo dice for the lead in an amazing display of driver talent. It was Vidau, however, who was the best of the 16-year-olds, claiming the outright and Pro class victory for the first round of the 2018 season.
Jimmy Vernon claimed his best result of the weekend in third place from Simon Fallon, who placed third for the round. Luis Leeds had a horror final race, having to visit pitlane with technical dramas, though still managed to snare fourth place in the Pro class for the round from Vernon, Chelsea Angelo and Dan Day.
After previously racing against Murray in Formula Ford, Vidau was thrilled to get the edge at the season opening round.
"There are many quality drivers in the series this year and after Thursday's test I was nervous that I might not be quick enough, but I managed to pull it together on Saturday and Sunday and get the round win," said Vidau.
"Cooper and I raced in Formula Ford last year; we know each other and we know how each other drive so it was great to have such close racing with him in the Porsche this weekend."
Another highlight for the opening round was the Pro-Am battle and, more specifically, the victory of Sam Shahin at the circuit he founded. Two second places and a first place handed Shahin the round victory ahead of Danny Stutterd and Ben Stack to place the South Australian on the top step of his own podium.
"What a moment! I had a moment in the last three laps of the race as you come around turn 14 and you see the pit building and the hordes of people on the balconies with cameras flashing. What a sight. It is genuinely a surreal feeling," said Shahin.
"What an absolute relief, I'm absolutely thrilled. I've seen a lot of people with smiles on their faces and I've seen some very proud and grateful racing car drivers and this is what we wanted to see. I'm glad we are contributing in a small way to the great history of Australian motorsport."
Michael Hovey finished just one place shy of a Pro-Am podium position, finishing fourth for the round from Brett Boulton, Rob Woods and Marcel Zalloua in seventh in the Pro-Am class.
Richard Bloomfield was the best of the Class B performers across the opening round. Bloomfield won the opening two races in Class B before placing second to Christian Pancione in the final race to take the class round win from Pancione and Tom Taplin. Emanuel Palyaris placed fourth for the round in Class B ahead of Adrian Lengkeek, Phil Morriss and Andrew Goldie, who sustained event ending damage in race two.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia returns for round two at Sandown Raceway on May 11-13, 2018.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 6 | 19:49.3 | 02:07.2 |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 6 | 19:50.5 | 02:07.9 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 6 | 19:51.2 | 02:07.8 |
| 4 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 6 | 19:51.9 | 02:07.8 |
| 5 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 6 | 19:53.3 | 02:09.4 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 6 | 19:54.7 | 02:08.2 |
| 7 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:55.1 | 02:08.6 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:56.1 | 02:12.0 |
| 9 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 6 | 19:56.8 | 02:18.0 |
| 10 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 6 | 19:57.8 | 02:16.4 |
| 11 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:59.0 | 02:16.8 |
| 12 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 6 | 20:00.0 | 02:16.9 |
| 13 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:00.6 | 02:17.1 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:01.4 | 02:20.5 |
| 15 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 6 | 20:01.8 | 02:19.6 |
| 16 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:04.2 | 02:21.3 |
| 17 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 6 | 20:04.7 | 02:21.6 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:05.9 | 02:21.6 |
| 19 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:07.0 | 02:20.5 |
| 20 | 50 | Adrian Lengkeek | Class B | 6 | 20:07.8 | 02:19.0 |
| 21 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:08.3 | 02:40.2 |
| DNF | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1 | 03:37.6 | |
| DNF | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | |||
| DNF | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | |||
| DNF | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B |
Results: Race 3
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 22 | 46:30.0833 | 1:55.3638 |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 22 | 46:49.9220 | 1:55.9332 |
| 3 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 22 | 46:52.1313 | 1:56.4050 |
| 4 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 22 | 46:52.4577 | 1:56.4833 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 22 | 47:07.0334 | 1:57.1070 |
| 6 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 22 | 47:11.2996 | 1:56.1360 |
| 7 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 22 | 47:36.8438 | 1:59.5856 |
| 8 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 22 | 47:45.3475 | 1:59.8455 |
| 9 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:07.5507 | 1:58.4943 |
| 10 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:10.0330 | 1:59.6125 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:29.0503 | 2:01.7216 |
| 12 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 22 | 48:36.0754 | 2:01.4955 |
| 13 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 21 | 46:38.8935 | 2:01.6746 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 21 | 46:40.6307 | 2:00.3373 |
| 15 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 21 | 46:45.9495 | 2:02.2653 |
| 16 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 21 | 46:48.7178 | 2:01.5986 |
| 17 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 21 | 47:07.9453 | 2:02.6386 |
| 18 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 21 | 47:12.3376 | 2:03.1219 |
| 19 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 21 | 47:39.4466 | 2:03.2628 |
| 20 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 21 | 48:30.7801 | 1:59.0009 |
| 21 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 20 | 46:53.1903 | 2:00.1929 |
| 22 | 50 | Adrian Lengkeek | Class B | 20 | 47:44.1625 | 2:13.2190 |
| 23 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 19 | 46:40.1794 | 2:00.9136 |
| DNF | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 17 | 45:48.4925 | 2:03.3282 |
| DNF | 2 | Dan Day | Pro |
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Young guns level entering race three
Vidau wins eventful race two
Young guns level entering race three
Max Vidau and Cooper Murray enter race three at The Bend Motorsport Park with one race win a piece following the former's victory in Sunday morning's race.
Vidau claimed the lead from the start and maintained the position until the end of the first lap before an incident further back in the field triggered a safety car period, which extended to the end of the race while the cars were recovered.
While only six laps had been completed, full race distance was reached as per the time certain finish regulations. All drivers emerged without significant injuries from the opening lap dramas.
Simon Fallon placed third from Luis Leeds, Jimmy Vernon and Chelsea Angelo.
Sam Shahin was the best of the Pro-Am drivers, claiming the Pro-Am class win from Brett Boulton and Ben Stack, while race one class winner Danny Stutterd finished sixth in class following an early spin.
Richard Bloomfield claimed his second Class B win of the event from Christian Pancione and Tom Taplin.
The final race of the opening Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round will be held at 1:50pm.
Results: Race 2
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 6 | 19:49.3 | 02:07.2 |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 6 | 19:50.5 | 02:07.9 |
| 3 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 6 | 19:51.2 | 02:07.8 |
| 4 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 6 | 19:51.9 | 02:07.8 |
| 5 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 6 | 19:53.3 | 02:09.4 |
| 6 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 6 | 19:54.7 | 02:08.2 |
| 7 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:55.1 | 02:08.6 |
| 8 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:56.1 | 02:12.0 |
| 9 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 6 | 19:56.8 | 02:18.0 |
| 10 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 6 | 19:57.8 | 02:16.4 |
| 11 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 6 | 19:59.0 | 02:16.8 |
| 12 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 6 | 20:00.0 | 02:16.9 |
| 13 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:00.6 | 02:17.1 |
| 14 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:01.4 | 02:20.5 |
| 15 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 6 | 20:01.8 | 02:19.6 |
| 16 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:04.2 | 02:21.3 |
| 17 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 6 | 20:04.7 | 02:21.6 |
| 18 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:05.9 | 02:21.6 |
| 19 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:07.0 | 02:20.5 |
| 20 | 50 | Adrian Lengkeek | Class B | 6 | 20:07.8 | 02:19.0 |
| 21 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 6 | 20:08.3 | 02:40.2 |
| DNF | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 1 | 03:37.6 | |
| DNF | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | |||
| DNF | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | |||
| DNF | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B |
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News
Young guns impress in race one
Murray, Stutterd dominate race one at The Bend
Young guns impress in race one
Young gun Cooper Murray has driven a faultless opening race of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season to claim a 20-second victory at the series' first appearance at The Bend Motorsport Park, while Danny Stutterd and Richard Bloomfield were the class of the Pro-Am and Class B fields.
Murray started second on the grid alongside pole-sitter Simon Fallon though gained the lead soon after the start, just before the safety car was called to the circuit. Murray led on the restart, though was soon challenged by fellow 16-year-old Max Vidau.
The reigning Australian Formula Ford champion, Vidau started ninth after an interrupted qualifying session – both by weather and red flags – and was challenging Murray for the lead before exiting the circuit on lap nine and dropped to sixth. Vidau quickly moved back through the field and ultimately progressed to second following a late battle with Fallon and Luis Leeds, though was unable to challenge Murray, who ultimately won by the impressive margin of 19.8 seconds.
"I'm very happy with that race. I passed Simon at the start and then I wanted to get into a rhythm and not try to burn the tyres out. That's what we did and came away with the win. I didn't expect to pull away like I did. I was expecting a hard race for the whole 50 minutes but it didn't turn out that way," said Murray.
"The team did a fantastic job throughout the 50-minute race and it's a fantastic way to start the season."
Behind Murray and Vidau, fellow Pro drivers Leeds and Fallon placed third and fourth, respectively, following a thrilling battle in the closing laps. Chelsea Angelo and Jimmy Vernon were fifth and sixth for the opening race of the season.
Danny Stutterd and Sam Shahin were the standout Pro-Am performers for race one. Stutterd gained the class lead just after the restart when Brett Boulton was hit by a competitor, allowing Stutterd to establish a lengthy class lead and eventually take the class win. Shahin's race was very different; starting 20th after failing to post a qualifying time, Shahin charged through the field to place eighth outright and second in class. Michael Hovey placed third in class from Michael Loccisano in fourth.
"It's good to be back in the series and great to get the class win. Boulton got in front of me and I thought we were going to have a great battle but unfortunately, he got taken out. That cleared the path for me and I saw Shahin coming so I just held the gap. It's a great track and it was good fun to drive."
Richard Bloomfield was the best of the Class B drivers; finishing 12th outright and placing ahead of class rivals Phil Morriss, Andrew Goldie and Emanuel Palyaris.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will return on Sunday for two 20-minute races, both of which can be viewed via a live stream on the Shannons Nationals website – www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday April 15, 2018
9:00am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:30pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Results: Race 1
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Laps | Race time | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 22 | 46:30.0833 | 1:55.3638 |
| 2 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 22 | 46:49.9220 | 1:55.9332 |
| 3 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 22 | 46:52.1313 | 1:56.4050 |
| 4 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 22 | 46:52.4577 | 1:56.4833 |
| 5 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 22 | 47:07.0334 | 1:57.1070 |
| 6 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 22 | 47:11.2996 | 1:56.1360 |
| 7 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro-Am | 22 | 47:36.8438 | 1:59.5856 |
| 8 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | 22 | 47:45.3475 | 1:59.8455 |
| 9 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:07.5507 | 1:58.4943 |
| 10 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:10.0330 | 1:59.6125 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 22 | 48:29.0503 | 2:01.7216 |
| 12 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 22 | 48:36.0754 | 2:01.4955 |
| 13 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 21 | 46:38.8935 | 2:01.6746 |
| 14 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 21 | 46:40.6307 | 2:00.3373 |
| 15 | 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B | 21 | 46:45.9495 | 2:02.2653 |
| 16 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | 21 | 46:48.7178 | 2:01.5986 |
| 17 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 21 | 47:07.9453 | 2:02.6386 |
| 18 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 21 | 47:12.3376 | 2:03.1219 |
| 19 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | 21 | 47:39.4466 | 2:03.2628 |
| 20 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 21 | 48:30.7801 | 1:59.0009 |
| 21 | 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | 20 | 46:53.1903 | 2:00.1929 |
| 22 | 50 | Adrian Lengkeek | Class B | 20 | 47:44.1625 | 2:13.2190 |
| 23 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | 19 | 46:40.1794 | 2:00.9136 |
| DNF | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 17 | 45:48.4925 | 2:03.3282 |
| DNF | 2 | Dan Day | Pro |
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Newcomer takes pole position in Tailem Bend
Fallon tops difficult qualifying at The Bend
Newcomer takes pole position in Tailem Bend
Sonic Motor Racing debutant Simon Fallon will start the opening race of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season from pole position after a difficult qualifying session met with a variety of conditions.
Much of the 25-car field started the session on slick Michelin tyres, though rain quickly fell and teams were forced to pit. Then the session was met with two consecutive red flags, making it difficult to get a clean lap on the first wet session of the weekend.
Fallon, who was the cause of the final red flag, ended the session with the top time, ahead of Friday pace-setter Cooper Murray and Chelsea Angelo in third.
Brett Boulton was the leading Pro-Am driver in fourth outright from Danny Stutterd, Class B leader Christian Pancione, Luis Leeds, Jimmy Vernon, Max Vidau and Michael Hovey in 10th.
The 50-monute race one will be held at 3:10pm on Saturday.
Results: Round 1, Qualifying
| Position | Car | Driver | Class | Fastest Lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | Simon Fallon | Pro | 2:10.8345 | |
| 2 | 36 | Cooper Murray | Pro | 2:11.1328 | 0:00.2983 |
| 3 | 38 | Chelsea Angelo | Pro | 2:13.0022 | 0:02.1677 |
| 4 | 84 | Brett Boulton | Pro-Am | 2:14.1751 | 0:03.3406 |
| 5 | 23 | Daniel Stutterd | Pro | 2:14.3955 | 0:03.5610 |
| 6 | 76 | Christian Pancione | Class B | 2:15.0036 | 0:04.1691 |
| 7 | 230 | Luis Leeds | Pro | 2:15.1808 | 0:04.3463 |
| 8 | 7 | Jimmy Vernon | Pro | 2:16.5762 | 0:05.7417 |
| 9 | 77 | Max Vidau | Pro | 2:18.9908 | 0:08.1563 |
| 10 | 73 | Michael Hovey | Pro-Am | 2:19.3912 | 0:08.5567 |
| 11 | 29 | Rob Woods | Pro-Am | 2:21.5024 | 0:10.6679 |
| 12 | 17 | Marcel Zalloua | Pro-Am | 2:22.5317 | 0:11.6972 |
| 13 | 99 | Ross McGregor | Pro-Am | 2:26.4435 | 0:15.6090 |
| 14 | 57 | Richard Bloomfield | Class B | 2:27.4257 | 0:16.5912 |
| 15 | 10 | Michael Loccisano | Pro-Am | 2:27.9311 | 0:17.0966 |
| 16 | 131 | Graham Williams | Pro-Am | 2:30.2567 | 0:19.4222 |
| 17 | 65 | Ben Stack | Pro-Am | 2:30.8235 | 0:19.9890 |
| 18 | 50 | Adrian Lengbeek | Class B | 2:33.4614 | 0:22.6269 |
| 19 | 2 | Dan Day | Pro | 3:17.9567 | 1:07.1222 |
| 20 | 13 | Sam Shahin | Pro-Am | ||
| 21 | 21 | Shane Barwood | Pro-Am | ||
| 22 | 91 | Emanuel Palyaris | Class B | ||
| 23 | 22 | Andrew Goldie | Class B | ||
| 26 | Tom Taplin | Class B | |||
| 88 | Phil Morriss | Class B |
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Porsche series makes maiden The Bend visit
New cars hit new circuit at season opener
Porsche series makes maiden The Bend visit
The opening day of the 2018 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season has been spent by the series' 26 drivers learning Australia's newest motor racing circuit, The Bend Motorsport Park.
The series has entered a new era with the introduction of the first generation 991 series 911 GT3 Cup cars, which were previously used across the past four seasons of Carrera Cup competition. For the season opener, 19 of the 26 cars in GT3 Cup Challenge are campaigning the newly-introduced model, with times drastically falling as drivers became familiar with the 4.95km layout.
One driver who entered the season most familiar with The Bend Motorsport Park was track founder and the series' Pro-Am pacesetter Sam Shahin, who was relieved to finally get on track after the lengthy development phase of the circuit. Shahin was seventh fastest outright and the best of the 12-car Pro-Am field from Brett Boulton and Danny Stutterd.
"I'm absolutely thrilled, really. It's more shear relief than happiness at the moment. I set the bar very high for myself and all the pressure is self-inflicted. I'm still pinching myself even in the car driving around and enjoying this wonderful scenery here and everybody having a beautiful smile on their face. It's epic."
The series' young rookies were the best in Friday practice, with 16-year-old Cooper Murray posting the best time of the day of 1:54.4382, narrowly ahead of fellow Pro ranked drivers
Jimmy Vernon, Max Vidau, Luis Leeds and Simon Fallon.
"We had great pace today," said Murray. "I've been working a lot with the team behind the scenes and I've been studying the track ahead of this weekend. The car is awesome to drive and the circuit is world class, so I'm really looking forward to this weekend."
Christian Pancione and Tom Taplin were the standout Class B drivers, posting the 10th and 12th best times of the two Friday sessions in their second generation 997 series 911 GT3 Cup race cars.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will hold its first qualifying session of the season on Saturday morning before a 50-minute long-distance race one on Saturday afternoon. Sunday will then feature two 20-minute races, both of which can be viewed via a live stream on the Shannons Nationals website – thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 14, 2018
10:00am Qualifying (20mins)
3:30pm Race 1 (50 minutes, laps TBC)
Sunday April 15, 2018
9:00am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:30pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Results: Combined Practice 1 & 2
1. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing – 1:54.4382
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing – 1:54.7818 (0:00.3436)
3. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts – 1:55.2638 (0:00.8256)
4. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPSGateway – 1:55.2938 (0:00.8556)
5. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing – 1:55.8688 (0:01.4306)
6. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing – 1:56.3928 (0:01.9546)
7. #13 Sam Shahin (Pro-Am) The Bend /htfu – 1:57.1409 (0:02.7027)
8. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security – 1:57.3177 (0:02.8795)
9. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living – 1:57.6076 (0:03.1694)
10. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance – 1:58.0871 (0:03.6489)
11. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker – 1:58.4676 (0:04.0294)
12. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate – 1:59.5627 (0:05.1245)
13. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue – 1:59.9740 (0:05.5358)
14. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont – 2:00.1101 (0:05.6719)
15. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) DNA Racing – 2:00.9567 (0:06.5185)
16. #222 Scott Taylor (Pro-Am) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 2:01.1168 (0:06.6786)
17. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 2:01.4065 (0:06.9683)
18. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach – 2:01.6233 (0:07.1851)
19. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic / Williams Racing – 2:01.7359 (0:07.2977)
20. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc – 2:02.4843 (0:08.0461)
21. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services – 2:02.9412 (0:08.5030)
22. #57 Richard Bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey – 2:02.9417 (0:08.5035)
23. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers – 2:02.9596 (0:08.5214)
24. #91 Emanuel Palyaris (Class B) TBC – 2:03.9384 (0:09.5002)
25. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows – 2:04.1020 (0:09.6638)
26. #50 Adrian Lengkeek (Class B) Wall Racing/JBA Carpet Court/F – 2:11.2761 (0:16.8379)
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Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia
Michelin Juniors confirmed for GT3 Cup Challenge
Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia
Two national champions and Australia's most promising female racer will contest this season's Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series as Michelin Junior drivers.
Following the recent announcement of the four Michelin Juniors racing in Carrera Cup, a further three Michelin Junior drivers will contest the GT3 Cup Challenge series – Toyota 86 Racing Series champion Jimmy Vernon, Australian Formula Ford champion Max Vidau and former open-wheel and Supercars driver Chelsea Angelo.
Vernon enters GT3 Cup Challenge with the current Toyota 86 Racing Series crown – a championship in which he entered with several seasons of open wheel and production car experience. The 20-year-old will now join Queensland squad McElrea Racing in the 2016 Carrera Cup title-winning 911 GT3 Cup car, then driven by Matt Campbell and, more recently, by Jaxon Evans in Carrera Cup last year.
Vidau enters the Porsche series having won the 2016 Victorian Formula Ford title, followed by the 2017 Australian Formula Ford crown last season, an accolade for which the 16-year-old received the opportunity to participate in the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout in USA last December. Vidau will race with Sonic Motor Racing Services, the team which has claimed the past three outright GT3 Cup Challenge titles, driving the 911 GT3 Cup car raced by Nick McBride across the past four Carrera Cup seasons.
For Angelo, the road to GT3 Cup Challenge has seen the 21-year-old compete in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and the Super2 Series before joining Wall Racing ahead of the 2018 season. Angelo will now take the 2017 Carrera Cup championship-winning 911 GT3 Cup, last year driven by her now-team owner David Wall, into the 2018 GT3 Cup Challenge season.
The 2018 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia driver line-up is now complete, with Angelo, Vidau and Vernon joining Carrera Cup's Michelin Juniors Jaxon Evans, Adam Garwood, Cameron Hill and Jordan Love in the driver development programme.
Much like the Michelin Juniors in Carrera Cup, GT3 Cup Challenge's Michelin Juniors will be provided financial benefits by way of entry fee support and an allocation of Michelin race tyres, along with access to training, mentorship and education throughout the racing season.
2018 Michelin Junior Team
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
Chelsea Angelo
"I'm thrilled to be part of the Junior Programme, which will provide a huge opportunity for me at this stage of my career. I'm looking forward to work closely with Porsche and Michelin during the 2018 season.
"My goal has always been to reach Supercars, but to see drivers like Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans and Jordan Love use GT3 Cup Challenge as a platform into Carrera Cup – and in Matt's case, into Europe – has certainly opened my eyes to the Porsche pathway. Being a Michelin Junior, I fele, will help in my pursuit of progressing my motorsport career."
Jimmy Vernon
"It's a dream come true to link myself with both Porsche and Michelin. Growing up, aligning myself with such brands in my racing career was always a goal so I'm exciting the now be named in this programme.
"I looked at racing in GT3 Cup Challenge after seeing Matt Campbell and his rise with Porsche. I'm now with McElrea Racing, who has proven that this is possible. So with their knowledge, I hope to rise up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid with the team."
Max Vidau
"It's great to part of the Junior Programme for 2018 and I have to thank Porsche and Michelin for the opportunity.
"If you look at brands like Porsche, they have involvement in motorsport worldwide and I hope that I can continue with Porsche to ultimately replicate the path of someone like Matt Campbell. Not only has Matt secured international endurance drives with Porsche, but he has also maintained a racing presence in Australia with his Supercars enduro duties."
Angelo, Vernon, Vidau and the remainder of the 26-car Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series will begin the 2018 season at The Bend Motorsport Park on April 13-15, starting tomorrow.
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Max Vidau tackles GT3 Cup Challenge with title-winning team
Formula Ford champion confirmed for 2018 series
Max Vidau tackles GT3 Cup Challenge with title-winning team
Exciting up-and-comer Max Vidau will swap his title-winning Formula Ford for a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at this weekend's season opening Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round at The Bend Motorsport Park.
The talented South Australian remains with the team that took him to the 2017 Australia Formula Ford title, Sonic Motor Racing – an outfit that has claimed the past three GT3 Cup Challenge crowns.
This move represents another important step in Vidau's career. Vidau continues his successful progression from karts to open wheeler racing cars and now to sports cars, in one of Australia's most competitive one-make motor racing series, Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.
"I'm so excited to be competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge this season and to be racing with such a highly competitive team that has been so supportive of my career to date in Sonic Motorsport. This is the next stepping stone to Carrera Cup, GT and Supercars, so I am looking forward to adapting to these cars and learning how to get the most from them in what is sure to be a very challenging one make series," Vidau said.
According to Sonic Motor Racing Team Principal, Mick Ritter: "Max Vidau is a very talented young motor racing driver, his achievements to this point have been remarkable for his young age. We look forward to helping him in his Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge this season and I don't think it will take him very long to be running at the front."
Having started his racing career in dirt karts at the age of 7, Vidau raced to several karting title race victories and podiums across Australia before stepping up to Formula Ford at the age of 15. Vidau clean swept the 2016 Victorian Formula Ford Championship with four pole positions and victory of all five rounds, earning him the title on debut. Then at 16, Vidau progressed to the Australian Formula Ford Championship, winning two of the six rounds, taking two pole positions and four race wins, earning him the national title, following in the footsteps of several of the most successful racing drivers in Australia.
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News
Porsche series features 27-strong entry list
GT3 Cup Challenge kick-starts new era at The Bend
Porsche series features 27-strong entry list
A 27-strong Porsche field will begin a new era of the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.
The 27 911 GT3 Cup entries will tackle the first ever national-level race meeting at the 4.9km circuit – the largest grid since the series' opening 2010 round at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.
The 2018 season marks the introduction of the Type 991 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars to the series, the same cars used throughout the past four seasons of the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia championship.
With the new cars also comes a host of young talent looking to progress through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid following in the footsteps of successful GT3 Cup Challenge graduates that include Porsche Young Professional Matt Campbell, Carrera Cup series leader Jaxon Evans and 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge champion, Jordan Love.
Thirteen of the 27-strong grid will be making their GT3 Cup Challenge debuts this weekend; with a pair of recent national champions set to headline the Pro Class at Tailem Bend.
Sonic Motor Racing has locked in 2017 Australian Formula Ford Champion Max Vidau in their bid to extend their remarkable streak as the team to beat in the GT3 Cup Challenge. Sonic has won the last three consecutive titles, including last year's success with Jordan Love. Vidau hails from Adelaide and clinched last year's open-wheel title for Sonic in a thrilling final round.
Reigning Toyota 86 Racing Series winner Jimmy Vernon will also likely be a contender, driving for Queensland team McElrea Racing. Vernon enters his first season of Porsche racing behind the wheel of the car taken to a Carrera Cup championship win by Matt Campbell two years ago.
Also in a title winning car will be Chelsea Angelo, who was one of the first announced for the 2018 season and will steer the Wall Racing entry driven last year to the Carrera Cup title by team owner, David Wall.
Teenage karting champion Cooper Murray will join the field this year, racing for Ashley Seward Motorsport. The 16-year-old from Melbourne has targeted a progression to Carrera Cup Australia via GT3 Cup Challenge and brings more than 100 victories in top-level karting to the series this year.
Time Attack champion and former Super 2 Series racer Dan Day will also make his debut this weekend, racing an entry prepared by Adelaide team, Buik Motorworks.
Completing the Pro class battle will be more open-wheel graduates in Luis Leeds and Simon Fallon. Both competed in Australian Formula 4 with Fallon finishing sixth in the series last year. He will join Vidau in a strong two-car Sonic Motor Racing attack on the Pro Class.
Leeds finished sixth in the local open-wheel series in 2015, before progressing his career overseas as a Red Bull junior driver and winning races in British Formula 4. He returns home to tackle the GT3 Cup Challenge with his car to be fielded by new Supercars team, 23Red Racing.
Class racing will again be a feature in the series this year with a strong contingent of Pro-Am and Class B contenders to fight for their own class trophies.
The Pro-Am battle will feature a diverse mix of contenders this weekend, including Carrera Cup Pro-Am racers Graham Williams and The Bend track founder Sam Shahin, who will both use the weekend as a chance to gain experience at the circuit prior to the Carrera Cup round later in the year.
Shane Barwood, Brett Boulton, Daniel Stutterd, Michael Hovey and local Ben Stack are each expected to be competitive amongst the Pro-Am Class, as will series returnees Michael Loccisano, Marcel Zalloua, Rob Woods and Ross McGregor.
Meanwhile, seven drivers will battle it out for Class B, for the previous model Type 997 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
2017 Class B champion David Greig returns, though is likely to face strong competition from class rivals, including West Australian Andrew Goldie, Adelaide young-gun Tom Taplin and series regular Phil Morriss. Emanuel Palyaris, Adrian Lengkeek, Richard Bloomfield and Christian Pancione will all be making their GT3 Cup Challenge debuts this weekend.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will tackle three races across the weekend alongside the opening round of the 2018 Shannons Nationals series at the brand-new 4.9km circuit.
Sunday's racing will be streamed live on the internet, available from www.thenationals.com.au, with all the action to then be covered on SBS Speedweek in the weeks following the round.
Race Schedule
Friday April 13, 2018
10:45am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
1:35pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday April 14, 2018
10:00am Qualifying (20 minutes)
3:30pm Race 1 (50 minutes, laps TBC)
Sunday April 15, 2018
9:00am Race 2 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
1:30pm Race 3 (20 minutes, laps TBC)
Entry List: Round 1, The Bend Motorsport Park
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro)
3. #10 Michael Loccisano (Pro-Am) Hallmarc
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Pro-Am) The Bend /htfu
5. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Pro-Am) 360 Motorsport/Valmont
6. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
7. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
8. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
9. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate
10. #29 Rob Woods (Pro-Am) Platinum Night Club Broadbeach
11. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
12. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
13. #50 Adrian Lengkeek (Class B) Wall Racing/JBA Carpet Court/Feltex Carpets
14. #57 Richard bloomfield (Class B) Okey Dokey
15. #65 Ben Stack (Pro-Am) DNA Racing
16. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
17. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
18. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts
19. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
20. #87 David Greig (Class B)
21. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
22. #91 Emanuel Palyaris (Class B) TBC
23. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
24. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
25. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic / Williams Racing
26. #222 Scott Taylor (Pro-Am) Scott Taylor Motorsport
27. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
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Cooper Murray sets sights on GT3 Cup Challenge debut
Murray set for Porsche 'stepping stone'
Cooper Murray sets sights on GT3 Cup Challenge debut
Cooper Murray is the latest young racer to move from open wheel racing into Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, starting his ascent of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
At just 16 years of age, Murray is a multiple karting champion with over 100 race wins to his name and in excess of 150 podiums. Focused and determined, the Melbournian will leave school in 2018 to begin training and dedicating himself to a full time career in motorsport.
"Motorsport is definitely where I want to be and I'm determined to follow my passion and do everything I can to be where I want to be.
"Previously, it has always just been myself and my parents managing my racing, so to have signed with Push Talent Management and become a part of their Junior Development Program is really exciting," said Murray.
Furthermore, the young Victorian will team up with Ashley Seward Motorsport, whom will ultimately prepare and take care of the #36 entry, pre and post race weekends.
"I feel so comfortable with the crew at Ashley Seward Motorsport. They know what they're doing and have already made me feel so welcomed and part of the team.
"I'm really looking forward to teaming up with them for the 2018 season and seeing what we can do on track," said Murray.
Lodge Bros Stonemasons will feature on Murray's 911 GT3 Cup, whom are the market leaders in the manufacture and supply of natural and stone memorial headstones and plaques.
Although only the beginning of the race season, the 16-year-old is focussed on working his way up the ranks in the motorsport world.
"My aim for 2019 is to be in the Porsche Carrera Cup, so I'm really determined to bring home decent results this year and learn as much as I can," said Murray.
Murray will hit the track for the first time at the Shannons Nationals at the all-new Tailem Bend circuit, April 13-15.
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News
Luis Leeds joins GT3 Cup Challenge
Open wheeler ace set for Porsche debut
Luis Leeds joins GT3 Cup Challenge
Following a successful stint in open wheel racing, young Australian Luis Leeds has chosen Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia as the next step in his motor racing pathway.
The Year 11 student has teamed with 23Red Racing and will compete in the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in which Cam McConville took to Albert Park round victory in the 2017 Carrera Cup season.
Leeds will now have the chance to climb the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid like many young drivers before him, including Carrera Cup series leader Jaxon Evans and Porsche Young Professional, Matt Campbell.
"It's a massive turnaround," Leeds told Australian motor racing website, Speedcafe.com.
"I was fighting to keep my career alive, to be honest. For 23Red to do this, I'm stoked to be honest.
"I really didn't think I was going to race. I had belief in myself, you never say never, but it I knew it was quite unlikely to get out there.
"To secure a seat and to race with such a great team is a massive weight off my shoulders."
Leeds moves into GT3 Cup Challenge from the European based Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Series, which he campaigned after a stint in the Australian Formula 4 series.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia kicks off at The Bend Motorsport Park on April 13-15, 2018.
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Jimmy Vernon set for Porsche campaign
National champion joins GT3 Cup Challenge
Jimmy Vernon set for Porsche campaign
Sydney racer Jimmy Vernon will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of two key graduates of Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia when he joins the series in 2018.
The 20-year-old will join McElrea Racing this year off the back of claimed the Toyota 86 Racing Series title in 2017.
Vernon will drive the same Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car driven to the 2016 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship by Matt Campbell, followed by a pair of round victories in the hands of Jaxon Evans last season.
Both drivers commenced their Porsche careers in GT3 Cup Challenge before progressing into Carrera Cup, where Evans now leads the championship.
Campbell's well-documented career has seen him progress to becoming a Porsche Young Professional driver this year, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Both team and driver have targeted a similar progression through the 'Porsche Motorsport Pyramid'.
"After a successful season last year, we sat down and did research on all the pathways in the sport we could think of – and it was the Porsche pathway that spoke to me the most," Vernon said.
"It has been proven to get drivers not only to the point of succeeding in Supercars, but kickstarted overseas careers as well. It was at that point I started speaking to Andy (McElrea) because I saw them as a proven team that had already helped guys like Matt and Jaxon.
"They're switched on and the one day I have had in the car was fantastic – they're a team with so much experience that any question you have, they have an answer for.
"It has been great to put this together with the backing of an awesome support crew behind me and people who are helping me out for the year. We're still searching for people to jump on board and get involved but the support has already been fantastic."
Having signed with McElrea Racing earlier in the week, Vernon subsequently got his first taste of Porsche power at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.
"It was good. It's obviously a big step up from the Toyota or anything else I've ever driven. It took a while to get my head around but by the end of the day we were posting competitive times," he said.
"We're going into the first round with quite a bit of confidence, but I know the competition is going to be tough from what I have heard and seen about drivers coming into the series.
"GT3 Cup Challenge looks like it's going to be very strong and I'm looking forward to seeing how we shape up against the others."
Team owner Andy McElrea said Vernon's signing would build on their experience of developing drivers through the Porsche pyramid.
"We're looking forward to working with Jimmy this year in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge," McElrea said.
"In Matt and now Jaxon we have shown a solid three-year program of progression through GT3 Cup Challenge and into Carrera Cup and we are following that same model with Jimmy.
"He comes to us with a strong level of experience for someone his age, so we're looking forward to building on that as he starts his Porsche career and working with him to develop him into a Carrera Cup champion."
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia commences at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia on April 13-15.
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New recruit for Wall Racing
Chelsea Angelo confirmed for GT3 Cup Challenge
New recruit for Wall Racing
Chelsea Angelo will contest the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series full-time in 2018 after joining forces with the reigning Carrera Cup championship winning team, Wall Racing.
With the 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991.I) now eligible for GT3 Cup Challenge competition, Angelo will make the most of the newly available model by fielding David Wall's 2017 Carrera Cup racer.
Angelo tested the 2014-spec 911 GT3 Cup car at Wakefield Park late last year and, following the successful outing, is looking forward to the new challenge.
"It's great to join Wall Racing this year in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series. I am really looking forward to racing in the series in a Carrera Cup championship winning car. I would like to thank PAYCE, Wilson Security, Grove Hire and OX Wheels for all of their assistance and support. I can't wait for the season to start and to get back on track," said Angelo.
Wall Racing Team Manager, David Fyfe, is pleased to sign Angelo and his high expectations for the Melbourne-based racer in the Porsche series.
"It is great to be able to get a deal together for Chelsea to join Wall Racing and run her in GT3 Cup Challenge championship," said Fyfe.
"Chelsea has been given a fantastic opportunity to race a full season and to show everyone what she can do. Heading into the 2018 season we are confident of a very strong showing from Chelsea and for her to be a consistent front runner and in contention for the title at the end of the year."
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will commence at the opening Shannons Nationals event of the season at the brand new The Bend Motorsport Park on 13-15 April.
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News
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
Michelin to partner Porsche series in 2018
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
Porsche Cars Australia will team with French tyre manufacturer Michelin to deliver a new-look Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season in 2018.
The popular one-make sports car series will move to Michelin tyres for the 2018 season as part of a new Title Partnership, which will also see the series' title change to 'Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia'.
Michelin will therefore become the sole tyre supplier across both Porsche one-make series in Australia – Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.
The event schedule will also receive a shake-up; the series will open its 2018 season at the newly constructed The Bend Motorsport Park, replacing Sandown as the season opener, while the Melbourne venue will now host round two in May.
Phillip Island, Queensland Raceway and Winton Motor Raceway will host the third, fourth and fifth round ahead of the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park in September.
The three-race Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will also continue into 2018, with the three Endurance Trophy events to be announced ahead of the 2018 season.
Porsche Cars Australia Director of Marketing & Motorsport, Toni Andreevski, is pleased to expand Porsche Cars Australia's partnership with Michelin to span both Porsche one-make series.
"GT3 Cup Challenge is set for a fantastic season in 2018. This new partnership with Michelin coincides with the introduction of the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup car to the series, which was exclusively used in Carrera Cup up to the end of the 2017 season," said Andreevski.
"We expect to see a strong field of both the first generation Type 991 GT3 Cup race car and its predecessor, the second generation Type 997 GT3 Cup racer. The series will also visit The Bend Motorsport Park for the season opening event, which brings additional interest for the start of the 2018 season.
"Porsche's Australian motorsport programme is going from strength to strength. Carrera Cup will feature a sold out field of over 24 brand new 911 GT3 Cup cars and now we will launch GT3 Cup Challenge with a tremendous new partnership with Michelin."
As part of the revised series and title change, Michelin will feature on the windscreen banners of each 911 GT3 Cup car in the series.
"It's great for Michelin to return to GT3 Cup Challenge as both the 2018 Official Tyre Partner and Title Partner," said Michelin Australia Marketing Manager, Tim Hoare.
"We have a tremendous relationship with Porsche both in Australia and also globally, supplying tyres for each global Carrera Cup series and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup through to Porsche's LMP1 programme in which, together, the two brands ultimately won three Le Mans 24 Hours and six World Championship titles.
"We're proud to expand our partnership across both Porsche one-make series within Australia, GT3 Cup Challenge and Carrera Cup. It brings consistency for our brands and drivers within the series. GT3 Cup Challenge is a proven hotbed for driver talent and we're thrilled to be part of the series moving forward."
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will race exclusively at Shannons Nationals events in 2018.
Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
2018 Race Calendar
Round 1: The Bend Motorsport Park – 13-15 April, 2018
Round 2: Sandown International Raceway – 11-13 May, 2018
Round 3: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – 01-03 June, 2018
Round 4: Queensland Raceway – 28-29 July, 2018
Round 5: Winton Motor Raceway – 01-02 September, 2018
Round 6: Sydney Motorsport Park – 21-22 September, 2018
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News
Jordan Love, Anthony Gilbertson and David Greig claim titles
Trio crowned in chaotic finale
Jordan Love, Anthony Gilbertson and David Greig claim titles
The final day of competition for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series was also potentially the most chaotic as a three-car incident in the final race of the season ultimately decided the Elite Class title.
Jordan Love secured the Outright and Professional Class titles with victory in the opening race and further extended his gap to second with victory in race two. A DNF in the final race – Love finished the season in the gravel trap following a battle for the lead with Brenton Grove – didn't dampen Love's sensational year on track, which included 15 wins from 18 races. Grove, who claimed the Professional Class round win, placed second in the season class standings from John Steffensen.
The Elite Class battle was the highlight of the final round of the season, with Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin battling for the top position for the final three races. Shahin reduced the margin to just three points entering the final race of the season, however a mid-race collision between Shahin, Steffensen and Gilbertson saw the three fail to finish the race. The result was bittersweet for Gilbertson, who secured the Elite Class title, and disastrous for Shahin, who was on track to bridge the points gap to Gilbertson by the chequered flag.
Gilbertson therefore won the Elite Class title by three points from Shahin, with John Morriss finishing third for the season in class.
John Karytinos was the star performer of the two-day season finale. The South Australian claimed a clean sweep in the Elite Class and his consistency placed him on top of the outright points for the Phillip Island finale, becoming the first Elite Class driver since Shahin at the opening Sandown round to finish on top of the outright round standings.
Andrew Goldie was the Class B winner for the Phillip Island round, finishing ahead of David Greig and Brenton Cook on the podium. Greig was the ultimate Class B champion, his consistency throughout the season securing him the title at the penultimate Queensland Raceway round.
Love's series win was also the third straight for the Sonic Motor Racing Services team with outright champions Ryan Simpson (2015), Hamish Hardeman (2016) and Love (2017).
GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series will return to the track early next season, with the 2018 race calendar to be announced in the coming weeks.
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News
Heavens open at final Porsche round
Eventful Friday at wet Phillip Island finale
Heavens open at final Porsche round
Variable Phillip Island weather plagued the opening day of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season finale, though Jordan Love and John Karytinos overcame the inclement conditions to lock out the front row for Saturday's opening race.
Friday's two practice sessions were met with wet and slippery conditions, leading to several driver mishaps and subsequent red flag periods. The sun appeared through the clouds later in the day for an ultimately dry qualifying session, which saw Love take pole position by an impressive 1.26secs.
"It was great to get some qualifying laps in the dry after this morning's two wet practice sessions. There were only a few wet patches but nothing that affected us too much," said Love who, by taking the top qualifying time, extended his outright series lead to 84 points with only 93 points on offer for the remainder of the series.
"We went out and banked a few good times before the red flag and then changed a few things on the car; we hadn't had a good feel of the car in the dry as both practice sessions were in the wet. We couldn't really get in a good lap once the session restarted but luckily my previous times were good enough for pole. I can't wait to see what the weather does tomorrow as it was an interest part to today."
Love's campaign to win the title was assisted by the practice crash of his nearest points rival, Brenton Grove, which saw Grove miss the qualifying session and will therefore start the opening race from the rear of the field.
Meanwhile Karytinos was the pace-setting Elite Class driver qualifying second outright – his best ever qualifying performance – ahead of his teammate Sam Shahin, who was lucky to post a quick time early in the session before causing a red flag and sustaining significant session-ending damage to his Porsche.
The addition of Anthony Gilbertson to the second row of the grid will make for an exciting element to the opening race; the two drivers are a mere seven points apart in the Elite Class standings entering the final three races of the season.
John Morriss qualified fifth ahead of John Steffensen upon his return to the series. Ben Stack will start seventh for race one from Shane Barwood in eighth and Class B pole-sitter David Greig in ninth. Phil Morriss rounded out the top 10 from Ross McGregor and Class B runners Andrew Goldie and Brendon Cook.
Love enters race one with a commanding points lead in the Outright standings, only having to finish inside the top eight in one of Saturday's three races to secure the title.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will now embark on the final day of its 2017 season, with Saturday to host three races at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit before the series' Awards Night on Saturday evening.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 09, 2017
9:15am Race 1 (11 laps)
11:35am Race 2 (11 laps)
3:10pm Race 3 (11 laps)
Results – Qualifying
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 1:32.4455*
2. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:33.7105s
3. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:34.0555s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:34.1345s
5. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:34.2004s
6. #78 John Steffenson (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:34.5473s
7. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 1:34.9116s
8. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:35.6651s
9. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 1:37.3898s
10. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:37.8658s
11. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:38.9047s
12. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) – 1:41.0348s
13. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 1:41.4487s
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News
Porsche series enters sixth and final round
Champions to be crowned at Phillip Island finale
Porsche series enters sixth and final round
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will officially crown three champions this weekend as the series prepares for the final round of the 2017 championship.
While David Greig has sealed the Class B title and Jordan Love has his hands firmly on the Professional Class and Outright wins, the Elite Class is proving to be the highlight of the Phillip Island round with just seven points separating the lead duo of Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin.
Consistent results and an outright victory at the season opening Sandown round handed Shahin the early lead in the class standings, though an impressive run of form from Gilbertson, which included eight wins from the past nine races, placed the Queensland based racer seven point ahead leading into Phillip Island with just three races remaining for the season.
"I can't wait for Phillip Island," said Gilbertson. "I'm just going to continue doing the same thing that I've been doing. I've focused on being aggressive in qualifying and making sure I gain strong starts and remain clean throughout the races. Hopefully if I do that I can gain the points needed at Phillip Island to be on top by the end of the season."
While unlikely, John Karytinos and John Morriss also remain in contention for the Elite Class victory leading into Phillip Island.
Meanwhile Jordan Love's record-breaking season at the front of the field, in which he has become the first driver to score 10 straight race wins, places him as firm favourite to become the 2017 Outright and Professional Class champion. While Love needs to claim a top-eight position in race one to secure the title, the West Australian is eager to continue his record-setting win streak at the Victorian venue.
"There are still three more races to go in the championship and plenty of points up for grabs. We'll go into Phillip Island with the same attitude as I entered Queensland Raceway and try to come away with a few more wins and, importantly, the series title," said Love.
Brenton Grove sits second in the Outright and Professional Class standings after an ultra-consistent season, which has seen him place in the top three in all but one race throughout the opening five rounds.
While David Greig secured the Class B title at the penultimate Queensland Raceway event, the addition of Brendon Cook and Andrew Goldie will make for a tremendous battle in the class for first generation 997-series 911 GT3 Cup cars.
The final round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series will be held across the Friday and Saturday of the Shannons Nationals event at Phillip Island, with the series' Awards Night to be held on Saturday evening.
Race Schedule
Friday September 08, 2017
9:40am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
11:35am Practice 2 (30 minutes)
2:15pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
Saturday September 09, 2017
9:15am Race 1 (11 laps)
11:35am Race 2 (11 laps)
3:10pm Race 3 (11 laps)
Entry List: Round 6
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 McElrea Racing (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#22 Andrew Goldie (Class B)
#23 Grove Motorsport Pty Ltd (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing
#78 Group Racing (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Elite Class battle builds in Ipswich
Love breaks record in Queensland
Elite Class battle builds in Ipswich
Jordan Love has departed a successful penultimate round of the 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season with one hand on the championship trophy, while Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin are set for an epic Elite Class showdown at the Phillip Island finale.
Love had an impressive Queensland Raceway round, securing the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy on Saturday before claiming a dominant victory in both Sunday races, sealing the round win and an almost unassailable lead in both the Outright and Professional Class standings. Brenton Grove's impressive Ipswich round, placing second in every race, was the only thing keeping the title race alive into the final round of the season.
The clean sweep also continued Love's winning streak across 10 straight races, a new GT3 Cup Challenge record.
The series now heads to Phillip Island on September 08-09 where Love will look to become the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge champion.
"It was a great weekend here in Queensland. I felt like I wasn't prepared enough for our last round in Sydney so I worked to ensure I was properly prepared heading into this weekend. It resulted in great results but also the ability to remain consistent all weekend," said Love.
"There are still three more races remaining for the season so there are plenty of points up for grabs. We're going to go into Phillip Island with the same attitude as we entered Queensland Raceway and aim to finish the season on a high."
An entertaining Elite Class battle at Queensland Raceway has set up a sensational class title fight leading into the final round, with Gilbertson leading Shahin by a mere seven points after two exciting Sunday races.
Gilbertson was leading the class battle in Sunday's race two before spinning, while a closely trailing Shahin clipped Gilbertson. Both cars sustained damage but were able to continue, allowing John Karytinos to take the race win from John Morriss, Brett Boulton, Shahin and Gilbertson.
Gilbertson then repeated his race one effort with class victory in race three from Shahin and Karytinos, handing Gilbertson the class round win – from Karytinos and Shahin – and a seven-point class lead with three races remaining for the season.
"The battle between Sam Shahin, John Karytinos and myself has been great all year so it was pretty special to have all three of us on the podium this weekend. I can't wait for Phillip Island."
Class B also provided many highlights for the Queensland Raceway round between Brendan Cook and class points leader David Greig, with two race wins and a second place in race three handing Cook his maiden class win in the series.
"David pushed me to the limit and hopefully I pushed him also. It was great racing all weekend and I'm thrilled to come away with my first class win in the series. I've come second that many times that I wasn't going to let this one go!" said Cook. "We'll head to Phillip Island and hopefully get another class round win."
While placing second in Class B, Greig has established an unassailable points lead in the class with one round remaining.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli returns to the track in five weeks for its season finale at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on September 08-09, 2017.
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News
Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race sealed
Love secures Enduro crown at QR
Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race sealed
West Australian Jordan Love has won the 2017 Jim Richards Endurance Trophy at Queensland Raceway, becoming the first driver to secure the honour with a clean sweep of endurance race victories.
Love dominated the opening race of the penultimate Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli round, moving past Brenton Grove after an early safety car intervention – caused by Brett Boulton's opening lap spin into the turn three run off – before establishing a gap on the field.
Love maintained a healthy race lead until the safety car was recalled to the circuit on lap 36 when Rob Woods and Shane Barwood spun into the turn three gravel trap after battling for eighth and ninth position, forcing the race to finish under safety car conditions.
The win handed Love the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy title and an extended 70 point lead in the outright standings.
"I'm thrilled to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, which was certainly my key focus heading into today," said Love. "We had a great race, though it didn't come easily; the weather was fairly hot and I wasn't wearing a cool suit so it proved testing throughout the race, so I am stoked with the outcome."
Once losing the lead, Grove drove a consistent race to finish a clear second, with leading Elite Class racer Anthony Gilbertson unchallenged in third. John Karytinos placed fourth, holding Sam Shahin at bay until the late race safety car and subsequently chequered flag.
The result placed Gilbertson third in the endurance standings – behind Love and Grove – and promoted him to the lead of the class standings for the first time since scoring pole position at the season opening Sandown round.
"I'm stoked with the Elite Class race win and also to place third in the endurance championship," said Gilbertson. "It couldn't have worked out better moving into the class lead at my home track. I've just got to keep my nose clean for tomorrow's two races and hopefully extend my class lead by the end of the weekend."
John Morriss drove an impressive race, coming through from towards the rear of the field to place sixth, while Ross McGregor too performed strongly during the endurance race with seventh outright by the finish, his equal best result of the season.
Brendan Cook was the victor in the epic race-long Class B battle, which saw he and David Greig swap positions several times throughout the 40-lap race. Greig placed ninth from Tony Martin, Phil Morriss and Barwood in 12th.
Woods and Boulton were the only two non-finishers for the race.
Race two and race three from Queensland Raceway will be held on Sunday, both of which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals Live Stream at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday August 06, 2017
10:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
12:45pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Results: Race 1
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 40 laps, 01:00:31.8237s
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 40 laps, 01:00:32.3851s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 40 laps, 01:00:34.2952s
4. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 40 laps, 01:00:34.5434s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 40 laps, 01:00:36.2929s
6. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 40 laps, 01:00:37.6387s
7. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 40 laps, 01:00:38.6974s
8. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 39 laps, 01:00:32.9298s
9. #87 David Greig (Class B) 39 laps, 01:00:33.9018s
10. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue – 39 laps, 01:00:35.3533s
11. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 39 laps, 01:00:37.0328s
12. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 37 laps, 01:00:39.6878s
DNF #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 34 laps, 50:24.0609s
DNF #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
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News
Final Preparations Complete Ahead of Endurance Trophy Decider
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli drivers at this weekend's penultimate Queensland Raceway round have completed final preparations ahead of Saturday's final race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
The Porsche series completed two practice sessions on Friday, with series leader Jordan Love finishing the day fastest with a time of 1:12.1192, a mere 0.0825secs ahead of Elite Class pace-setter Anthony Gilbertson.
Following tomorrow morning's qualifying session, the Porsche series will complete a 40-lap race, which will decide the 2017 recipient of the popular Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
"The track was really good today. With Supercars having raced here last weekend there was quite a bit of grip down on track, but a little bit of rain last night made it a bit slippery this morning. It gripped up throughout the day and should make for great racing tomorrow," said Grove, who sits second in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy standings behind Love.
"It's my second time here; I raced here last year with Formula 4 which is a completely different car so essentially it feels like my first time here again. I think we made good progress today and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's endurance race."
Grove finished Friday practice third quickest ahead of South Australian duo Sam Shahin and John Karytinos, Brett Boulton, John Morriss, Rob Woods, Ross McGregor and Shane Barwood in 10th.
Qualifying and the 40 lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy decider will be held tomorrow ahead of race two and race three on Sunday, which can both be viewed via the Shannons Nationals Live Stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday August 05, 2017
10:50am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:45pm Race 1 (40 laps)
Sunday August 06, 2017
10:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
12:45pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Combined times – Practice 1 & 2
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 1:12.1192*
2. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:12.2017s
3. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:12.4740s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:12.8527s
5. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:13.0811s
6. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:13.1226s
7. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:14.2546s
8. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 1:14.3245s
9. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:14.7518s
10. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:14.9841s
11. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:15.0423s
12. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 1:15.1799s
13. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue – 1:15.3740s
14. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:16.5632s
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News
Endurance Champion to Be Crowned at Queensland Raceway
The popular Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series returns to Queensland Raceway this weekend where the opening race will determine the winner of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy for 2017.
The three-race endurance series, now in its seventh season, is currently led by Porsche Junior Jordan Love, with fellow young gun Brenton Grove and Elite Class contender Anthony Gilbertson second and third in the Endurance Trophy standings.
Saturday afternoon's 40-lap endurance race will conclude the Endurance Trophy for the season, with Love favourite to join the likes of Roger Lago, Kane Rose, Richard Muscat, Fraser Ross, James Abela and Jaxon Evans as recipients of the endurance honour.
"I'm really looking forward to racing at Queensland Raceway and hopefully having another strong endurance race performance on Saturday," said Love. "I have limited experience in a sports car at the track and, while it isn't as technical as somewhere like Sydney, it will provide plenty of challenges. It will be a great weekend and it would be amazing to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy with a strong performance in race one."
Love will aim to capture several records in Queensland. The West Australian is en route to his fourth straight round win, something only previously achieved by Ryan Simpson and Matt Kingsley. Having won seven races in a row, a clean sweep at Queensland Raceway would also hand Love a new series win streak record.
Meanwhile the fight at the front of the Elite Class continues as the series highlight.
Sam Shahin's strong start to the season followed by Anthony Gilbertson's recent resurgence has resulted in just four points separating the duo entering the penultimate 2017 round.
Shahin has traditionally shown impressive pace at the Ipswich circuit; the South Australian claimed his maiden series podium at the venue in 2015 before narrowly missing out on a certain class round victory last season when his throttle cable broke in the closing stages of the final race.
Gilbertson, too, has strong form at the Queensland circuit, placing second in the Elite Class for the round last season ahead of a comprehensive pre-season test at Queensland Raceway in preparation for the 2017 season.
"I was very lucky in Sydney to reduce the points margin to Sam, who is still leading. If I can go up to Queensland Raceway, which is my home track, and do well there, you never know who might be leading entering the final round at Phillip Island," said Gilbertson.
"I like Queensland Raceway. Out of all the tracks in Australia, I have done the most laps at QR. I also did a fair bit of testing there at the start of the year when I joined McElrea Racing. So I'm cautiously confident heading into the Queensland round."
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold the third and final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season on Saturday afternoon, with race two and race three to be held on Sunday.
Two watch the two Sunday races, along with the entire Shannons Nationals Sunday race program, view the live stream available from thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday August 04, 2017
11:50am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
2:40pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday August 05, 2017
10:50am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:45pm Race 1 (40 laps)
Sunday August 06, 2017
10:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
12:45pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Entry list: Round 5, Queensland Raceway
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Sydney Sweep for Love and Gilbertson
Young gun Jordan Love has continued his front-running form at Sydney Motorsport Park for round four of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series, while Anthony Gilbertson's second straight round clean sweep has moved him into Elite Class title contention.
Brenton Grove started Sunday's race two with the early lead, repeating his race one effort of an impressive jump off the line from second on the grid. Grove was challenged throughout the opening laps by Love, who gained the race lead on lap five of the 10-lap race and pulled away to take the victory from Grove.
Shahin was running third for the majority of race two before Gilbertson gained the position on lap eight. Shahin tried to regain the position on the final lap, the move resulting in Shahin spinning at turn two and dropping down the order. Gilbertson claimed third for the race from John Morriss, Brett Boulton, John Steffensen and Shahin in seventh. Ross McGregor placed eighth from Shane Barwood and Class B winner David Greig in 10th.
Love was again first to cross the finish line in race three, regaining the lead from early front-runner Anthony Gilbertson on the opening lap.
Grove finished race three with his third second place for the weekend from Gilbertson, Morriss, Boulton in fifth, with a hard charging Marcel Zalloua moving from the rear of the field to place sixth ahead of Shahin, Steffensen, McGregor and Class B race winner Brendan Cook in 10th.
With race three victory, Love secured his seventh straight race win and his 10th of the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season.
"We struggled early in the weekend throughout practice, just grabbed pole position in qualifying and learned a lot throughout the weekend. I hadn't driven here before in a Porsche, but I feel as though by the time we got to the last race I was happy with my performance," said Love.
"There's still a long way to go over the next two race meetings and anything can happen so I have to remain consistent until the final race of the season."
Gilbertson was thrilled with his Sydney form and his Elite Class title race reinvigoration.
"It was the second perfect weekend in two rounds," said Gilbertson. "I was so happy to get that last race out of the way. I was freaking out that I would get a bad start like I did earlier today and I got the best launch I've probably ever had. When I passed Love on the outside of turn one I was actually screaming in the car and once I got into the lead I didn't know what the hell to do! Once Love and Grove got by I just managed the lead to the other Elite Class guys.
"I've been very lucky this weekend, I've picked up a lot of points on Sam, who is still leading. If I can go up to Queensland Raceway, which is my home track, and do well there you never know who might be leading into the last round."
Two Class B race wins and a second in race three handed Greig the class round win and a 156 point lead in the class standings.
Love now holds a comprehensive 63 and 61 point lead in the Outright and Professional Class standings, with Grove placed second in both point scores.
Meanwhile Shahin's lead in the Elite Class standings has been reduced to just four points following Gilbertson's recent Winton and Sydney success.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli returns to the track on August 04-06 for the penultimate round of the 2017 season at Queensland Raceway, which will hold the third and deciding race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Results: Race 2
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 10 laps, 15:44.0214s
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 10 laps, 15:45.3716s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 10 laps, 15:53.8040s
4. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 10 laps, 16:09.2187s
5. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 10 laps, 16:11.2925s
6. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 10 laps, 16:16.3999s
7. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 10 laps, 16:18.9381s
8. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 10 laps, 16:19.6376s
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 10 laps, 16:20.4466s
10. #87 David Greig (Class B) 10 laps, 16:38.0556s
11. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 10 laps, 16:44.2278s
12. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 10 laps, 16:51.3900s
DNF #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 3 laps, 5:47.3363s
Results: Race 3
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 10 laps, 15:54.9267s
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 10 laps, 16:03.5144s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 10 laps, 16:13.2952s
4. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 10 laps, 16:22.3129s
5. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 10 laps, 16:25.8666s
6. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 10 laps, 16:25.9473s
7. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 10 laps, 16:26.3872s
8. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 10 laps, 16:29.2979s
9. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 10 laps, 16:40.4247s
10. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 10 laps, 16:43.0134s
11. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 10 laps, 16:47.7620s
12. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 10 laps, 16:50.1476s
13. #87 David Greig (Class B) 10 laps, 17:28.8333s
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News
Love Strengthens Endurance Lead in Sydney
Porsche Junior Jordan Love has extended his lead in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy after the opening Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli race at Sydney Motorsport Park, while the Elite Class battle had on-lookers glued to the timing screens late in the race.
While gaining on pole position, Love started the 30-lap endurance race poorly, dropping to third behind Brenton Grove and Anthony Gilbertson, though the safety car was immediately called to the circuit following a race start incident involving Phil Morriss, ending his race.
Love capitalised on the early-race intervention by quickly moving through to the race lead on the restart and building a substantial gap to his rivals. While his lead was reduced in the closing laps, Love remained unchallenged to the chequered flag, taking his second Jim Richards Endurance Trophy win race of the season.
"It was a great result, especially for the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. There is only one more long-distance race to go this season, but they are long races so anything can happen. My immediate focus will be on tomorrow's two races and then I'll think about the final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race at Queensland Raceway," said Love, who now leads the Endurance Trophy standings by 15 points over Grove.
"I had a really poor start but the safety car really helped out to get me back in the race. I had to push after the restart and Brenton didn't make it easy. Once I got into the lead I put my head down and managed to pull a gap. I struggled for grip over the last 10 laps which cost me a bit of time, as did the traffic. We'll work on a few things now and aim for something similar tomorrow."
Grove placed a comfortable second for the race, though it was the battle behind the young Victorian that captured attention late in the race.
Sam Shahin was third on track in the closing stages of the race, however due to a five-second penalty for a race start infringement, the race was on to establish a five-second margin to Gilbertson in fourth. Unfortunately for Shahin, the gap to Gilbertson was only 4.9 seconds at the chequered flag, handing Gilbertson his fourth straight Elite Class race win following his Winton class clean sweep.
"I'm really happy as I had to work pretty hard for it," said Gilbertson. "I had a ripper of a start and got past Love. The safety car was a shame as I had a good break to the other Elite Class drivers behind me with Jordan in between us. I got a good lead on Sam but then I was told that he had a five-second penalty. My rear tyres started going off really early in the race so I had to let him go because I had no speed. Then for the rest of the race I was just trying to manage the gap. I think the gap got out to 5.4 seconds and then over the last three laps I got it under five seconds again. The last lap was like qualifying lap with no grip, so it was fairly exciting."
John Morriss was the fifth driver to cross the finish line however a five-second penalty, also for a race start infringement, promoted Brett Boulton to fifth place in the race results from Morriss, John Steffensen and Shane Barwood – the latter duo battling for position for the majority of the race.
David Greig was the best of the Class B runners with ninth outright from Marcel Zalloua and Brendan Cook in 11th.
Ross McGregor failed to finish after sustaining right-front suspension damage.
Love now leads the outright standings by 51 points and the Professional Class standings by 49 points with Grove placed second in each.
Gilbertson moves to second in the Elite Class standings and now trails Shahin by 27 points.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli returns for race two and race three tomorrow, both of which can be viewed via the Shannons Nationals live stream, available at thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday July 09, 2017
09:28am Race 2 (10 laps)
1:41pm Race 3 (10 laps)
Results: Race 1
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 30 laps, 52:43.2750s
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 30 laps, 52:44.3492s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 30 laps, 53:20.9209s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 30 laps, 53:21.0576s
5. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 30 laps, 53:42.8810s
6. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 30 laps, 53:46.2649s
7. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 30 laps, 54:28.1969s
8. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 29 laps, 52:44.4223s
9. #87 David Greig (Class B) 29 laps, 52:54.4297s
10. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 29 laps, 53:13.0011s
11. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 29 laps, 53:54.6541s
DNF #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 7 laps, 16:56.6603s
DNF #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
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News
Battle of the Elite in Sydney
An immense battle between Professional Class and Elite Class rivals is expected this weekend following a closer-than-expected opening practice of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Sydney Motorsport Park.
While Professional Class ace Brenton Grove was the best of the Porsche drivers on Friday, several Elite Class drivers, including Sam Shahin and Anthony Gilbertson, were among the pace-setters.
Elite Class points leader Shahin was the driver to beat in opening practice one, lapping the 4.5km Western Sydney circuit over half-a-second quicker than Professional Class young guns Grove and Jordan Love.
It was then Gilbertson's turn to shine in practice two, remaining at the top of the times until the dying stages of the session, eclipsed by young gun Grove, who's time of 1:33.2124 was the best of the two Porsche practice sessions.
"I started to find my feet towards the end of the second session. I struggled a bit this morning as I hadn't been here for a long time. Once we worked through the issues and changed the car a little bit we were able to find some strong pace," said Grove.
"There is still a lot to learn overnight, especially how to maximise the new tyre tomorrow. It's great to have great Friday pace but there's still a long way to go for the remainder of the weekend."
Gilbertson posted the second fastest time of the day – a mere 0.0075secs from Grove – ahead of Love, Shahin, John Morriss, who celebrates his 30th GT3 Cup Challenge round start this weekend, and Brett Boulton in sixth.
John Steffensen continues his impressive initiation into motorsport by posting the seventh fastest time from returning driver Shane Barwood, Phil Morriss and Ross McGregor, who also missed the Winton round.
David Greig topped the Class B battle, pipping Brendan Cook by 0.30secs in the final session to post the best Class B practice time.
The Porsche series will return to the track tomorrow morning for qualifying at 10:15am followed by the 30-lap opening race that will act as the second race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. Race two and race three will then be held on Sunday.
To view Sunday's racing at the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, follow the live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website – www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday July 08, 2017
10:15am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:48pm Race 1 (30 laps)
Sunday July 09, 2017
09:28am Race 2 (10 laps)
1:41pm Race 3 (10 laps)
Results: Friday Practice 1 & 2 (combined)
1. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:33.2124*
2. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:33.2199s
3. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 1:33.4204s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:33.7494s
5. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:34.5008s
6. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:34.5901s
7. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:36.7952s
8. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:37.2269s
9. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:37.6336s
10. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:37.6837s
11. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:38.3130s
12. #11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication – 1:38.6154s
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News
Endurance Trophy Continues in Sydney
Sydney Motorsport Park will host round four of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli this weekend as all eyes will be focused on Saturday's second leg of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
The Sydney round marks the start of the season's second half, with Saturday's 30-lap opening race to feature as the second event of the three-race Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Porsche Junior Jordan Love claimed a convincing victory in the first endurance race at Winton Motor Raceway, ultimately departing the event with round victory and an extended series lead. Now Love will look to retain his lead in the Endurance Trophy with another strong performance in Sydney's long distance opener.
"I'm really looking forward to the next round at Sydney Motorsport Park. It's the only track on the calendar so far on which I haven't driven a tin-top so I'm really looking forward to learning the track in a different car," said Love.
"I'm excited about the second race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. I'm focused on the Endurance Trophy this year, as well as the outright title. The longer races throw more challenges at you, like managing tyres and learning consistency over a longer distance, so hopefully I can have another strong performance and hold my lead in the endurance standings."
Meanwhile, Anthony Gilbertson is looking forward to Sydney after a tremendous round at Winton Motor Raceway, where he became the first Elite Class driver to score an outright pole position.
"I love all the fast, flowing circuits on the calendar like Sydney and Phillip Island; they really suit my driving style," said Gilbertson.
"I've really built some confidence in my qualifying efforts. I'm confident that when we put green tyres on the car that I can secure a decent position on the grid for race one, which would be great for the longer race in Sydney."
Brendan Cook will return to the series for the first time since last season's final round at Phillip Island, joined in Class B by David Greig, who at Winton last month posted the fastest ever GT3 Cup Challenge race lap time in a first generation 997 series GT3 Cup car around the 3.0 km Victorian venue.
Eight cars will fight for Elite Class honours at Sydney Motorsport Park, including John Morriss, who will contest a milestone 30th round in the series, and Sam Shahin, who recently claimed TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge round honours at Porsche Carrera Cup Australia's recent Darwin event. Ross McGregor and Shane Barwood return to the Porsche series in Sydney after short absences.
Love, Brenton Grove and John Steffensen will continue their season-long Professional Class battle in Sydney, with 62 points separating the trio halfway through the season.
To view Sunday's racing at the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, follow the live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website – www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday July 07, 2017
12:45pm Practice 1 (30 minutes)
3:00pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday July 08, 2017
10:15am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:48pm Race 1 (30 laps)
Sunday July 09, 2017
09:28am Race 2 (10 laps)
1:41pm Race 3 (10 laps)
Entry List: Round 5, Sydney Motorsport Park
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Love and Gilbertson Sweep Winton Round
Jordan Love has strengthened his lead of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series with a clean sweep of race victories at Winton Motor Raceway, while Anthony Gilbertson continued his impressive Winton pace in an effort to rekindle his Elite Class title hopes.
Following Love's domination of Saturday's Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race, the West Australian had an impressive race two start – in contrast to his race one launch – to lead into the opening corner. From there Love established a lead and was unchallenged for the remainder of the shortened 11 lap race, reduced in length after safety crews had to recover the stricken Brett Boulton entry, which broke a drive shaft on the warm-up lap.
Love finished five seconds ahead of fellow West Australian and his day-to-day boss Peter Major, with Brenton Grove rounding out the top three outright and Professional Class entries.
Love repeated the feat in the third race of the weekend, claiming a six second victory from Major, with Grove again in third place.
The result handed Love a 44 point and 42 point lead in the Outright and Professional Class standings, respectively, from second placed Grove.
"I'm really happy with the weekend; I certainly can't complain with three race wins here at Winton," said Love.
"I'm still getting my head around the car and there are a lot of things I still have to work on. Though I'm happy with my progress in that aspect at this point in the season; I have picked up racing a Porsche quicker than I expected, which was largely helped by racing in the Bathurst 12 Hour.
"I'm looking forward to Sydney. It's the only circuit I haven't yet been on in a tin-top so I'm looking forward to a great learning weekend."
Gilbertson had similar success in the Elite Class. After becoming the first Elite Class driver to score an outright pole position in Saturday's qualifying session, Gilbertson placed fourth outright and claimed the Elite Class win in race one ahead of fellow South Australians John Karytinos and Sam Shahin.
Gilbertson continued his strong Winton form in Sunday's two races, on both occasions driving consistent races to take two fourth place finishes, including an Elite Class victory in both.
"It was basically the perfect weekend for me here at Winton," said Gilbertson.
"I certainly had a lot to prove to myself this weekend. I was pretty disappointed after Phillip Island about my driving in general. I really wanted to come here and prove that I could drive a car fast and consistent all weekend, and that's exactly what I did.
"The funny thing is that last year Winton was my least favourite track and now it's looking like my favourite. Hopefully we can continue this form in Sydney."
Karytinos and Shahin both claimed a second and third result in the Elite Class on Sunday, however Karytinos' second place in race one handed him second in class for the round, with Shahin – on his birthday – claiming the last step on the Elite Class podium.
Shahin continues to lead the Elite Class standings, now 22 points ahead of Karytinos, with Gilbertson now in third a further 12 points behind.
John Morriss had a strong showing on Sunday, placing seventh outright and fourth in the Elite Class in both races while Phil Morriss, Rob Woods, Marcel Zalloua and Boulton all showed strong Sunday pace.
David Greig claimed his first Class B victory, clean sweeping the class, though his job wasn't made easy by Andrew Goldie in his series debut.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will now visit Sydney Motorsport Park as the series enters the second half of the 2017 season on July 07-09.
Results – Race 2
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 11 laps, 15:20.3301s
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class) PM Motorsport – 11 laps, 15:25.6237s
3. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 11 laps, 15:28.8949s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 11 laps, 15:29.5421s
5. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 11 laps, 15:30.4805s
6. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 11 laps, 15:30.7599s
7. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 11 laps, 15:40.0092s
8. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 11 laps, 16:15.4499s
9. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 11 laps, 16:21.3824s
10. #87 David Greig (Class B) 11 laps, 16:24.3539s
11. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) 11 laps, 16:26.3975s
12. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport/Valmont – 11 laps, 16:27.0018s
13. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 9 laps, 15:47.6072s
DNF #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
Results – Race 3
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 12 laps, 16:40.4073s
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class) PM Motorsport – 12 laps, 16:46.0132s
3. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 12 laps, 16:53.3508s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 12 laps, 16:53.6941s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 12 laps, 16:54.0157s
6. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 12 laps, 16:54.4660s
7. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 12 laps, 17:00.1665s
8. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 12 laps, 17:14.3018s
9. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 12 laps, 17:21.1067s
10. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 12 laps, 17:27.9977s
11. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 12 laps, 17:33.7032s
12. #87 David Greig (Class B) 12 laps, 17:34.7499s
13. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) 12 laps, 17:36.4212s
14. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 10 laps, 16:45.1269s
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News
Love, Gilbertson Record Impressive Enduro Wins
Jordan Love has started his Jim Richards Endurance Trophy campaign in perfect style, dominating the 35 lap opening race at Winton Motor Raceway, while Anthony Gilbertson impressed with a series first earlier in the day.
Love dominated the majority of the morning's qualifying session and looked set to take pole position however, in the dying moments of qualifying, Gilbertson eclipsed Love's best time by just 0.0136secs. In doing so, Gilbertson became the first ever Elite Class driver to score pole position in a Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli event.
"It was the best thing that I've ever done in motorsport," said Gilbertson. "About 50 metres before I crossed the finish line I looked down on my dash at the reference time and I couldn't believe that it said I was heading for a 1:21; I had to confirm it with the team and they were screaming at me that I just scored pole… I then had to confirm it was the real pole, not just the class pole."
While Gilbertson and Love started on the front row, it was GT3 Cup Challenge debutant Peter Major who was leading at the end of the opening lap. Major retained the front position until Love, who had dropped to fourth after a slow jump off the start line, passed his fellow West Australian on lap 10.
Love then pulled away until the safety car was called on lap 23 while safety crews recovered debris from the track.
A strong restart allowed Love to once again pull away from the field to claim victory in the first Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season.
"It's really good to get another race win, especially in the first long distance race of the season. I have a few things to work on though; especially my start – I started on the front row and was fourth by turn one – and I should have been more consistency. But it's great to get more laps under my belt and I'm happy with the win," said Love.
"I'm looking forward to the other endurance races in Sydney and Queensland Raceway. I'm focussed on winning the championship, though the endurance title is also very much in my sights."
Major placed second in his first ever GT3 Cup Challenge race from Brenton Grove, who qualified fourth and battled with the leaders early in the race before settling into a rhythm as part of the leading trio.
Pole-sitter Gilbertson placed fourth outright and led home a South Australian trio at the head of the Elite Class for his third class win of the season. The strong race one result follows an inconsistent start to the season, where he failed to finish three of the season's six races entering the Winton round.
"My goal was to win the Elite Class in the race and not to worry too much about the outright win. It has been a really inconsistent start to the season for me so I'm eager to put together three strong races and claw some points back this weekend," said Gilbertson, who claimed the Elite Class race win ahead of fellow South Australians John Karytinos and Elite Class points leader Sam Shahin – the trio involved in an immense battle in the closing laps of race one.
"I'm thrilled to get the race win. That safety car didn't help me as I had pulled a gap on the other Elite Class guys, though it was a massive learning experience and I'm glad I came away with the class win."
Behind the battle of the leading Elite Class trio, John Steffensen, John Morriss, Brett Boulton and debutant Marcel Zalloua battled for seventh place in the latter stages of the race. Morriss was challenging Steffensen for position earlier in the race, however spun on lap 17 before capitalising on the safety car period to move back behind Steffensen in the closing laps.
Morriss then moved through to seventh after a spin from Steffensen with two laps remaining, before Boulton passed Morriss for the lead of the battle pack on the final lap to place seventh from Morriss and Zalloua in ninth on debut.
Phil Morriss placed 10th from Steffensen, Rob Woods, who had to drive the majority of the race without a front splitter, with Class B race winner David Greig placing 13th outright. Newcomer Andrew Goldie failed to finish due to tyre and front slitter damage sustained after an altercation at turn one.
Two 12-lap races remain for the third round at Winton Motor Raceway, to be held on Sunday at 9:00am and 11:15am.
The Sunday race schedule of Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals from Winton, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, will be available to view via live stream from the Shannons Nationals website (www.thenationals.com.au).
Race Schedule
Sunday June 11, 2017
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:15am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results – Race 1
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 35 laps, 51:33.4613s
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class) PM Motorsport – 35 laps, 51:35.5563s
3. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 35 laps, 51:41.9589s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 35 laps, 51:43.6300s
5. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 35 laps, 51:43.9307s
6. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 35 laps, 51:45.5114s
7. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 35 laps, 52:00.6964s
8. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 35 laps, 52:01.6039s
9. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport/Valmont – 35 laps, 52:02.8085s
10. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 35 laps, 52:22.7493s
11. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 35 laps, 52:28.3289s
12. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 34 laps, 52:34.4907s
13. #87 David Greig (Class B) 34 laps, 52:45.9974s
DNF #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) 9 laps, 14:37.6376s
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News
Love Beats Boss to Top Winton Practice
Porsche Junior Jordan Love has made a strong start to round three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Winton Motor Raceway, topping the time sheets in both Friday practice sessions.
Love finished Friday's two sessions with a top time eight-tenths quicker than his nearest rival, fellow Perth baser racer – and Love's day-to-day boss – Peter Major.
Major makes his GT3 Cup Challenge debut after recent experience in the Australian GT Championship, where he competed in last month's Phillip Island endurance race, giving the West Australian a worthy preparation for Saturday's 35-lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race.
"The main reason I'm here in GT3 Cup Challenge is because of Jordan Love, who works for me. He has been harassing me at work about how he's going to beat me so I thought I'd come out and have a bit of fun," said Major.
"It's only my second time at Winton so I'm learning the track as well as learning how to drive a Porsche again.
"I've done a few hour-long runs of late in Australian GT in the Lamborghini, including a long stint at the recent Phillip Island round, so hopefully that puts me in good stead for the opening race tomorrow."
Anthony Gilbertson was the best of the Elite Class competitors in third outright from Elite Class points leader Sam Shahin.
Brenton Grove, fresh from his recent trip to Fuji Speedway to support his father Stephen Grove in his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia appearance, was fifth outright from John Morriss, John Karytinos, Brett Boulton, John Steffensen and Phil Morriss 10th outright.
Newcomer Marcel Zalloua was 11th quickest in Friday practice from Class B leader David Greig, first-time GT3 Cup Challenge driver Andrew Goldie and Rob Woods in 14th.
The all-Porsche series will hold qualifying on Saturday at 9:55am before the series enters the first of its three Jim Richards Endurance Trophy races for the season. The field will embark on a 35-lap endurance battle, which will be followed by another long distance race at the following Sydney and Ipswich rounds.
Sunday will then feature two 12-lap races to conclude the third round before the season enters its latter half in Sydney.
The Sunday race schedule of Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals from Winton, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, will be available to view via live stream from the Shannons Nationals website (www.thenationals.com.au).
Race Schedule
Saturday June 10, 2017
9:55am Qualifying 1 (20 minutes)
12:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday June 11, 2017
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:15am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results – Combined Practice
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 1:22.8358*
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class) PM Motorsport – 1:23.6413s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:23.8601s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:23.9206s
5. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:23.9718s
6. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:24.3925s
7. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:24.4342s
8. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:24.5966s
9. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:25.3501s
10. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:27.1256s
11. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 1:27.2265s
12. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 1:27.4215s
13. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Andrew Goldie – 1:28.5942s
14. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 1:28.8093s
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News
Endurance Trophy Kicks Off at Winton
The popular Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will get underway this weekend as Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli heads to Winton Motor Raceway for its third round of the 2017 season.
A field of 15 911 GT3 Cup cars will line up at the rural Victorian venue for the three-race weekend, the first of which being a 35-lap endurance event that will commence the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy for the 2017 season. The remaining two Endurance Trophy races will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway at the following two rounds.
Saturday's 35-lap race will be followed by two 12-lap races on Sunday to conclude the Winton round.
The event comes just two weeks after the series' second round at Phillip Island, held on May 26-28. The event saw Porsche Junior Jordan Love and young gun Brenton Grove share outright race victories, but also the emergence of several Elite Class talents, including Nick Karnaros, Brett Boulton and Ben Stack.
Two Phillip Island race victories handed Love the lead of the Outright and Professional Class standings, passing round one class winner John Steffensen in the process.
While Phillip Island featured new names at the head of the Elite Class, the class standings remained unchanged at the top – Sam Shahin extended his class lead to 20 points over Phillip Island class round winner Karnaros. Shahin's series lead looks set to increase at Winton with the absence of Karnaros, though several experienced rivals – including John Karytinos, Anthony Gilbertson, John and Phil Morriss and Ross McGregor – will look to close the gap at the head of the class standings.
Three drivers will make their GT3 Cup Challenge debut at Winton – Peter Major, Marcel Zalloua and Andrew Goldie.
Major enters his debut Porsche round with proven success on Australian race tracks; the West Australian heads to Winton with Formula Ford and, more recently, sports car racing experience, claiming both a Class B podium at the 2017 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour and Australian GT race wins at the series' Adelaide and Perth rounds this season.
Fellow West Australian Goldie also brings Formula Ford experience to the Porsche championship, mainly at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway, while Zalloua has been a regular in the New South Wales Production Sports Car Championship since the 2014 season.
The Sunday race schedule of Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals from Winton, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, will be available to view via live stream from the Shannons Nationals website (www.thenationals.com.au).
Entry List – Round 3, Winton Motor Raceway
1. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class)
3. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
4. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport/Valmont
5. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
6. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B)
7. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
8. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
9. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
10. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
11. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
12. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
13. #87 David Greig (Class B)
14. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
15. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Race Schedule
Friday June 09, 2017
12:00pm Practice 1 (30 minutes)
2:20pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday June 10, 2017
9:55am Qualifying 1 (20 minutes)
12:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday June 11, 2017
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:15am Race 3 (12 laps)
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News
Love, Karnaros Claim Phillip Island Honours
Jordan Love overturned a potentially disastrous weekend to become the round outright and Professional Class winner after an inspiring drive in race two before a strong win in race three.
Meanwhile Nick Karnaros in only his second category round, proved that consistency was the key in taking out the Elite Class victory in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli second round at Phillip Island.
Race two was the first on the Shannons Nationals' Sunday program on a greasy track following overnight rain.
Brenton Grove out-pointed Love off the start. But it was the Elite Class' Anthony Gilbertson who was on his back bumper as they completed the first lap. Love had run off the road at Siberia. Fortunately, he could get back on the track, albeit in a distant last.
Ben Stack held third, clear of Sam Shahin, Karnaros, and Brett Boulton which became second when Gilbertson spun at the Southern Loop the second time through. He re-joined down the order and went off again, at MG, this time going into the tyre barrier.
Grove maintained the lead for the duration even though he admitted it wasn't easy. "Those were the worse conditions I have ever driven in," he said.
"I nearly had a massive crash on the first lap. But as the others fell off, I kept it on track and then mindful of the conditions, managed the gap to the end."
Love stormed back through the field, grabbing second place on the last lap where he had to bypass a three-way battle for the minors. Boulton held on ahead of a strong drive by John Karytinos who started well back, and Stack was a close fourth ahead of Karnaros and John Steffensen.
Shahin fell out of calculations due to a pit lane penalty for starting out of position while Class B went to Michael Tsigeridis, quite easily as his class rival David Greig stalled at the start.
Grove edged out Love at the start of race three but as he did the day before, drove around the outside of the race leader at Lukey Heights the first time, to grab the lead and race away to a 15.5 second victory.
"Going off in race two was my mistake, but getting back to second saved the weekend for us," said the race three winner.
"Grove got me off the start but I saw an opportunity and went for it," he commented on his audacious move to get the lead.
Grove had to withstand pressure from Karytinos for the duration while the battle for fourth also raged throughout. Ultimately John Morriss pulled clear and Karnaros reaped the benefits of Stack and Boulton coming together at turn four on the last lap.
Stack held on to sixth ahead of Shahin and Steffensen while sadly, Boulton went out with wheel damage. Greig led Class B off the start, edged away to a 2.3 second lead before Tsigeridis bridged the gap, passing his rival at half distance and pulling away in the latter part.
In taking the Elite Class Karnaros, the former competitor in Supersprints and state Production Sports races is enjoying his first season in GT3 Cup.
"We are a two-man operation, just me and a helper – we do everything ourselves. So the aim for us is to finish and not bring back the car in pieces."
Stack placed second in the Elite Class for the round with Boulton in third.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli returns in two weeks for the third round of the championship at Winton Motor Raceway.
Results – Race 2 (8 laps)
1 #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 15:23.2298
2 #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 15:27.2878
3 #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 15:27.7685
4 #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 15:28.0835
5 #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 15:28.94156
#25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 15:38.9404
7 #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 15:38.9954
8 #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 15:50.5051
9 #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 15:54.7583
10 #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 15:56.1950
11 #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer – 16:06.9802
12 #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 16:27.8452
13 #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 16:28.0056
14 #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 16:34.0310
15 #87 David Greig (Class B) – 7 laps
DNF #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1 laps
Fastest lap: Love 1:44.8694
Results – Race 3 (11 laps)
1 #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 17:18.4415
2 #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 17:33.9242
3 #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 17:34.0132
4 #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 17:43.5570
5 #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 17:45.8853
6 #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 17:47.0409
7 #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 17:47.3824
8 #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 17:48.1357
9 #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer – 18:04.0289
10 #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 18:05.9419
11 #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 18:15.2468
12 #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 18:15.5695
13 #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 18:34.7240
14 #87 David Greig (Class B) – 18:41.4388
15 #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 19:38.6633
DNF #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 5 laps
Fastest lap: Love 1:32.9132
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News
Love, Gilbertson Top Phillip Island Opener
Extraordinary cold tyre pace was the key to Jordan Love's dominance of race one of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli second round at Phillip Island.
Love eked out a handy advantage on the opening lap of the scheduled 11-lap event which was negated with an early safety car.
After the resumption, he again strode away from nearest rival Brenton Grove to win the race (reduced to ten laps) by 6.8 seconds.
"I stuffed up the start but managed to keep the lead and then pulled a gap," Love admitted.
"Then we had the safety car and he went with me off the restart for a lap or so before we could get away – I am happy with that!"
Grove had to ward off the challenge from Elite Class' Anthony Gilbertson to chase his Professional Class rival Love to the chequered flag.
"That went alright… first would have been better," Grove volunteered.
Gilbertson had made the best start but had no room in which to bypass Formula 4 graduates Love and Grove. "It was a great start," said Gilbertson.
"But I was squeezed for room into turn one and I had the pace on Grove. But he is not in my (Elite) class and I had a margin on Sam (Shahin)."
Shahin, who leads the class and won the opening round overall, was fourth, clear of Nick Karnaros who had to see off the early challenge from former Olympian John Steffensen who ultimately had an off-track excursion and finished 13th.
Then followed Ben Stack, Brett Boulton, Ross McGregor, Michael O'Donnell and Rob Woods all in the Elite Class. John Karytinos and John Morriss were the reason for the safety car when they tangled and went off at turn two on the second lap. John's brother Phil was running seventh and went off at the same corner, sustaining some rear end damage on lap seven.
It was a tough battle for 11th between Class B protagonists David Greig and Michael Tsigeridis. The latter had the advantage at the start but after the safety car period Greig gained the upper hand until the penultimate lap where Tsigeridis grabbed the lead, holding on by a car length.
Results – Race 1 (10 laps)
1 #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis – 19:13.3717
2 #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 19:20.2217
3 #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 19:20.7701
4 #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 19:22.1906
5 #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 19:30.4350
6 #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 19:31.8831
7 #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 19:36.6480
8 #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 19:37.1608
9 #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer – 19:39.5625
10 #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 19:46.3839
11 #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) – 19:47.2380
12 #87 David Greig (Class B) – 19:47.4006
13 #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 20:33.6701D
DNF #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 6 laps
DNF #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1 lap
DNF #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1 lap
Fastest lap: Love 1:32.6304
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News
Love and Gilbertson Top Practice Times at Phillip Island
Porsche Junior Jordan Love has set the pace early in Friday practice for the second round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season, with double duty driver Anthony Gilbertson leading the Elite Class contingent.
Love, in his second round in the all-Porsche series, posted a best time half-a-second quicker than his closest rival, fellow young gun and Professional Class driver Brenton Grove.
Gilbertson was the best of the Elite Class runners in third with the top four in the class – Gilbertson, John Karytinos, John Morriss and Sam Shahin – covered by just 0.5 seconds.
Series rookie John Steffensen continued his strong initial pace with the seventh fastest outright time from Nick Karnaros, Ben Stack and Rob Woods in 10th.
David Greig topped the Class B times from Michael Tsigeridis.
Friday was eventful for several of the GT3 Cup Challenge competitors, with Shahin, Gilbertson and Woods driving in both the GT3 Cup Challenge series and the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship as part of its annual Pro-Am round.
The series is this weekend helping to celebrate the 100th Shannons Nationals event, which has been the home of 51 of GT3 Cup Challenge's 53 events since its started in 2008.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli is set to hold three 11-lap races across the Phillip Island round. Saturday will feature qualifying and the opening race of the weekend while Sunday will feature race two and race three.
To watch the two Sunday races of GT3 Cup Challenge from Phillip Island, link to the live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website at www.thenationals.com.au.
Combined Results – Practice 1 & 2
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Quintis – 1:32.5173*
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:33.0369s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:33.3311s
4. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:33.3386s
5. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:33.5813s
6. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:33.8710s
7. #16 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:33.8747s
8. #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 1:34.1966s
9. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 1:34.6582s
10. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 1:34.9306s
11. #68 Michael O'Donnell SHOAL / Thomson Geer – 1:35.4853s
12. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:35.6061s
13. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:35.8343s
14. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:36.7959s
15. #87 David Greig (Class B) 1:38.1963s
16. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 1:38.4189s
Race Schedule
Saturday May 27, 2017
11:05am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:30pm Race 1 (11 laps)
Sunday May 28, 2017
9:20am Race 2 (11 laps)
11:20am Race 3 (11 laps)
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GT3 Cup Challenge Set for Milestone Round
The Shannons Nationals this weekend celebrates its 100th round and, fittingly, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will be present for its second event of the 2017 season.
GT3 Cup Challenge has been a key component of the Shannons Nationals race schedule since the all-Porsche series first started at Mallala Motor Sport Park in 2008. Since then, GT3 Cup Challenge has held 51 of its total 53 rounds at Shannons Nationals events on race tracks across the country.
This weekend's Porsche field will again predominantly feature Elite Class competitors, led by Sam Shahin, who was the outright and class winner from the opening Sandown round.
Shahin returns this weekend with substantial driving duties; in addition to racing in GT3 Cup Challenge the South Australian, along with Anthony Gilbertson and Rob Woods, will take part in the two one-hour, two-driver Pro-Am races as part of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship.
Shahin holds a 15 point lead in the Elite Class from the most experience Porsche competitor in the field, John Morriss, and Gilbertson in third.
The Professional Class is set for another exciting weekend as former Olympic sprinter John Steffensen returns for his second round in the series having won the class on debut at Sandown. Steffensen had an impressive weekend to score strong outright results and also capitalised on DNFs from his class rivals Jordan Love and Brenton Grove to take the class victory.
Michael Tsigeridis enters the round as the Class B leader after a successful Sandown opener, closely followed by David Greig.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold three 11-lap races across the Phillip Island round.
To watch the two Sunday races of GT3 Cup Challenge from Phillip Island, link to the live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website at www.thenationals.com.au.
Entry List – Round 2
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing
#68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer
#78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis
#81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Race Schedule
Friday May 26, 2017
11:15am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
1:20pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday May 27, 2017
11:05am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:30pm Race 1 (11 laps)
Sunday May 28, 2017
9:20am Race 2 (11 laps)
11:20am Race 3 (11 laps)
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News
GT3 Cup Challenge Test for 944 Challenge Young Gun
The best young racer in this season's 944 Challenge will be the recipient of a Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli test drive in a move to strengthen the link between the two series.
The top 944 Challenge driver aged under 30 for 2017 will receive a test in Zagame Autosport's 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, currently raced in the GT3 Cup Challenge series by former Olympic sprinter, John Steffensen.
The initiative strengthens the state based 944 Challenge series' position as a breeding ground for future Porsche one-make racing stars, who can subsequently progress to the Porsche operated GT3 Cup Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championships as part of its established Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
Several former 944 Challenge participants have progressed from 944 Challenge to GT3 Cup Challenge, including GT3 Cup Challenge champions Kane Rose, Richard Muscat and Hamish Hardeman, Carrera Cup front-runner Dylan O'Keeffe and GT3 Cup Challenge racers John Morriss and Brenton Grove.
"We have seen many drivers progress from 944 Challenge and be immediately competitive in the GT3 Cup Challenge series, which proves 944 Challenge as an effective stepping stone," said Paul Ellis, Porsche Cars Australia's Director of Public Relations and Motorsport.
"We hope that providing a young talent with this testing opportunity can assist in progressing them to the GT3 Cup Challenge series."
944 Racing Association President Mark Taubitz said the support from Porsche Cars Australia is a valuable addition to 944 Challenge's offering to competitors.
"944 Challenge represents the most accessible and affordable opportunity for many competitors to have their first taste of racing a Porsche product," Mr Taubitz said.
"While we're at a lower profile than GT3 Cup Challenge and Carrera Cup, many of the fundamental principles are the same, including tightly controlled technical regulations and an emphasis on driver ability.
"We're very appreciative of the support from Porsche, especially the opportunity they have provided for one of our competitors to explore the next step in Porsche one-make competition – we're sure this is something that will be appreciated by both our current competitors and potential new entrants."
Zagame Autosport Team Manager Cam McConville is thrilled to have the newly formed Porsche team as part of this initiative.
"Zagame Autosport is thrilled to be involved in this testing opportunity as part of our GT3 Cup Challenge program. We certainly recognise 944 Challenge as a great feeder series to national level competition and it is not short of impressive driver alumni," said McConville.
"It's great that our team can provide this opportunity and hopefully assist in the progression of a young driver up the motor racing ladder."
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will next race at Phillip Island for the 100th Shannons Nationals round on May 26-28, 2017, joined on the race schedule by Carrera Cup.
The second round of 944 Challenge will be held at Phillip Island this weekend, with the series also visiting Winton, Sandown and Mallala throughout the season.
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Shahin Takes Outright Honours, Steffensen Tops Pro Class
Sam Shahin has braved treacherous Melbourne weather claim the Outright and Elite Class round win as the 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season opened at Sandown Raceway, while high profile debutant John Steffensen continued his impressive racing initiation by taking the Professional Class round victory.
South Australian Shahin proved consistency was key throughout the Sandown round. After placing third in Saturday's chaotic race one, Shahin then placed second in race two – a 14 lap race that saw many of his rivals run off the wet circuit – while he concluded the weekend with a fifth place result in race three, handing the HTFU backed racer the Outright round victory and beating John Morriss and Anthony Gilbertson to the Elite Class round win.
"I'm absolutely thrilled with my first round win. This is the culmination of four years of hard work; I've worked really hard over the summer and I was determined to do well but not in my wildest dreams did I think I would finish with an overall win in the first round. I hope there are plenty more to come," said Shahin, who became the first Elite Class driver to claim an outright round win since John Goodacre's event victory at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2013.
"I'm absolutely like a kid in a candy store getting away with something naughty. Being away on a dirty, windy, rainy weekend and fanging a car around a race track and hopping on a plane with a number one trophy is an absolute dream."
A third and fifth in the Elite Class on Sunday handed Morriss second in the class for the round while an impressive Sunday effort of fourth and first in class elevated Gilbertson to the last place on the Elite Class round podium.
After Brenton Grove dominated Saturday's race, Jordan Love, who scored no points on Saturday after his involvement in the race start accident, dominated the two wet Sunday races. The Porsche Junior won race two by an astonishing 38 seconds, while Grove ventured into the turn one gravel trap and out of the race. Love again won race three ahead of Gilbertson and Grove, this time with more than a 20 second advantage by the finish.
Steffensen meanwhile placed second, second and third in the Professional Class, along with an incredible sixth outright in all three races, to claim the class victory.
"It was testing and a real initiation for me this weekend. It was hard out there today because you want to get into a rhythm and push hard and when you get hit with rain you really have to change your tact and really use your mental nous to bring it home and still be quick," said Steffensen.
"The Zagame Autosport team made my life really easy this weekend and this is such a good category for me; to come from another elite sport and jump in here and still be enjoyable and get that element of competition is great.
"I've always been a mad revhead and, for me, this has been a great category to start. What Porsche does with both Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge really balances it out really well for guys like me, using this as a stepping stone. I love Carrera Cup and I love the Clipsal 500 and Australian Grand Prix weekends and that's where I one day want to be.
"It's a long year and I've got to be smart and patient. I love winning and I want to get better and hopefully challenge Jordan and Brenton throughout the season."
Aaron Ireland had an impressive weekend in his Type 996 GT3 Cup car, the oldest car in the Porsche field. Ireland finished the event's three races in 13th, 10th and ninth to claim the Class B/Invitational Class victory from Michael Tsigeridis and David Greig, and finished the event 12th out of 18 starters.
Shahin now leads the Outright standings from Love, Grove, Morriss and Steffensen in fifth, while Shahin also leads the Elite Class from Morriss and Gilbertson. Meanwhile Steffensen leads the Professional Class standings by 10 points from Love and Grove.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will return for its second round at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on May 26-28, joined at the Shannons Nationals event by fellow Porsche one-make series, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
Race 2 Results
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 14 laps, 19:42.0693s
2. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 14 laps, 20:20.1763s
3. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 14 laps, 20:23.8193s
4. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 14 laps, 20:24.3229s
5. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 14 laps, 20:34.8883s
6. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 14 laps, 20:45.5375s
7. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 14 laps, 20:47.6547s
8. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 14 laps, 20:56.6623s
9. #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 14 laps, 21:04.9073s
10. #66 Aaron Ireland (Class B) Creditline Finance – 13 laps, 19:44.4333s
11. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 13 laps, 19:53.0656s
12. #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL / Thomson Geer – 13 laps, 19:56.5280s
13. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 13 laps, 19:57.9394s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 13 laps, 20:28.7681s
15. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 12 laps, 19:55.1709s
16. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 12 laps, 20:40.2142s
DNF #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 9 laps, 13:41.8816s
DNF #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire 9 laps, 20:15.6326s
Race 3 Results
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 14 laps, 19:55.3834s
2. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 14 laps, 20:16.7519s
3. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 14 laps, 20:20.5820s
4. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 14 laps, 20:22.0995s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 14 laps, 20:33.0228s
6. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 14 laps, 20:33.7822s
7. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 14 laps, 20:54.6996s
8. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 14 laps, 20:58.1710s
9. #66 Aaron Ireland (Class B) Creditline Finance – 14 laps, 21:06.1317s
10. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 14 laps, 21:08.7242s
11. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 14 laps, 21:11.6316s
12. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 14 laps, 21:13.3665s
13. #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL / Thomson Geer – 13 laps, 20:15.9145s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 13 laps, 21:18.4754s
15. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 12 laps, 20:27.1823s
16. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 11 laps, 19:53.4447s
DNF #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 8 laps, 12:13.1963s
DNF #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 5 laps, 8:00.2910s
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News
Grove, Karnaros Win Chaotic Opening Sandown Race
Brenton Grove has dominated a chaotic opening race of the 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season at Sandown Raceway on Saturday, where five drivers' race one campaigns ended 200m from the start line.
Grove scored pole position earlier in the day from Jordan Love and Anthony Gilbertson; the top three separated by just 0.03secs in qualifying. Grove then endured a slow start to race one, dropping down the order. As rivals filed past Grove, several made contact as they were filling the vacant track in front of the 19-year-old, resulting in a spectacular multi-car accident seconds after the start of the race.
The race was stopped momentarily while the track was cleared, with the contact forcing John Karytinos, Jordan Love, Anthony Gilbertson, Rob Woods and Ben Stack out of the race.
Grove was then given a handy advantage for the restart, starting on pole position with his next competitor located fifth on the grid. While challenged for position early in the race, Grove was able to gap the field and ultimately take an 11.5 second victory.
"It was a tough race. I really tried to get into a rhythm, hit my marks and not make any mistakes. I just tried to put everything I learned so far this weekend into practice and brought the car home," said Grove.
"Out of every start I could have missed, that was probably the best one because I was behind all of the action. Once it happened I tried to let it unfold and wait until I was able to get through.
"Tomorrow should be good. It will be about focusing on getting a good start, staying out of trouble and remain at the front."
The fight for second was a highlight late in the race. Sam Shahin held second and the Elite Class lead for the first half of the race before John Morriss moved ahead mid-race. Nick Karnaros and Michael O'Donnell then joined the battle in the closing laps, with just 0.7secs covering the quartet as they crossed the finish line; Karnaros claiming second place and the Elite Class win on debut from Shahin, Morriss and O'Donnell.
Sprinter-turn-racer John Steffensen had an impressive start to his Porsche racing career, finishing sixth on debut from Ross McGregor, Phil Morriss and Shane Barwood in ninth.
Brett Boulton finished 10th in his GT3 Cup Challenge debut from Class B runners David Greig, Michael Tsigeridis and Invitational Class driver Aaron Ireland.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold the final two races of the opening round on Sunday, both of which can be viewed online via live stream, available at the Shannons Nationals website at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday April 09, 2017
10:20am Race 2 (12 laps)
2:10pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Race 1 Results
1. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 12 laps, 14:53.7072s
2. #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 12 laps, 15:05.3040s
3. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 12 laps, 15:05.4464s
4. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 12 laps, 15:05.9860s
5. #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL / Thomson Geer – 12 laps, 15:05.9994s
6. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 12 laps, 15:08.9837s
7. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 12 laps, 15:10.5492s
8. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 12 laps, 15:14.8631s
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 12 laps, 15:17.8726s
10. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 12 laps, 15:20.3001s
11. #87 David Greig (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 12 laps, 15:28.5762s
12. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Creditline Finance – 12 laps, 15:29.1311s
13. #66 Aaron Ireland (Class B) – 12 laps, 15:41.1981s
14. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis1
15. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
16. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
17. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing
18. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
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News
Love, Gilbertson Fastest as Season Opens at Sandown
Jordan Love has made a strong start in his first appearance as Australia's new Porsche Junior, posting the fastest time in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli's opening practice at Sandown Raceway, while Anthony Gilbertson was the best performing Elite Class driver on the first day of the season.
Young gun Love, fresh from a season in the Australian Formula 4 series, set the quickest time in both of Friday's practice sessions and finished the day two tenths ahead of the second fastest driver and Professional Class rival, Brenton Grove.
Just a second covered the top four Elite Class competitors, which is set to be a hard-fought competition throughout the 2017 season. Gilbertson was the class pace-setter on Friday from Sam Shahin, returning driver John Karytinos and John Morriss, who moves to equal second on the list of all-time round starts on his 27th appearance in the category, with debutant Nick Karnaros seventh fastest in practice.
High-profile rookie John Steffensen impressed with the eighth fastest time in his first motor racing appearance. The dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist experienced throttle cable issues in the first practice session, providing Steffensen only partial throttle. The issue was fixed for practice two, allowing Steffensen to secure a time of 1:14.0678.
Ross McGregor returned for his 19th GT3 Cup Challenge round to post the ninth fastest time from newcomer Brett Boulton, Ben Stack, Michael O'Donnell and Shane Barwood; the latter duo having to adapt from a Class B Porsche to the second generation Type 997 race car over the off-season.
Phil Morriss was the 14th fastest driver on Friday from Rob Woods, Class B pace-setter Michael Tsigeridis, Invitational Class driver Aaron Ireland and David Greig.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold qualifying and its opening race of the season on Saturday, followed by race two and race three on Sunday.
To view the two Sunday races, be sure to tune into the event's Live Stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 08, 2017
11:05am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:30pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday April 09, 2017
10:20am Race 2 (12 laps)
2:10pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Combines Practice times
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 1:12.1595s
2. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:12.3531s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:12.4927s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:12.7033s
5. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:13.1007s
6. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:13.3865s
7. #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton – 1:13.7300s
8. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:14.0678s
9. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:14.1488s
10. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:14.2310s
11. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing – 1:14.3620s
12. #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer – 1:14.6030s
13. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:15.0592s
14. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:15.1661s
15. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 1:15.3215s
16. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 1:16.3079s
17. #66 Aaron Ireland (Invitational Class) Creditline Finance – 1:16.7955s
18. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 1:17.3114s
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News
GT3 Cup Challenge Starts 10th Season at Sandown
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will this weekend commence its 10th season at Sandown Raceway, marking the momentous occasion with an 18-strong field of 911 GT3 Cup race cars.
Starting in 2008, the popular one-make series has since completed 52 rounds and 155 races en route to establishing itself as both a popular motor racing series for racing enthusiasts and an effective stepping stone for aspiring young racers.
A total of 10 drivers will return to the series for the Sandown opening round, while eight racers will line up in the Porsche series for the first time, the most noteworthy having made a name for himself outside the race car.
Dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffensen, who recently retired from a successful athletics career, will make his GT3 Cup Challenge debut at Sandown with Zagame Autosport, which itself claimed its maiden Carrera Cup round victory at last month's Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at the hands of racer and team manager Cam McConville.
Steffensen will be one of three Professional Class drivers in the Porsche field at Sandown. Jordan Love enters the series as its new Porsche Junior after a successful stint in open wheel racing across Australia and Asia. Brenton Grove, who contested the Australian Formula 4 series alongside Love last season, enters GT3 Cup Challenge having won Class B at his sole GT3 Cup Challenge appearance at Phillip Island in 2014. Grove is following in the footsteps of his father, Stephen Grove, who himself raced in GT3 Cup Challenge and now competes in the top-tier Carrera Cup championship.
The Elite Class spans the majority of the GT3 Cup Challenge field and features several returning drivers looking to ultimately take the class crown from departing champion Tim Miles.
Sam Shahin and Anthony Gilbertson placed second and third in the Elite Class, respectively, last season and have their sights set on 2017 class honours, while Ross McGregor returns having placed fifth in the class.
Shane Barwood, the reigning Class B champion, has upgraded to a Class A Porsche and will contest the Elite Class alongside returning Adelaide drivers John Karytinos and Michael O'Donnell and brothers John and Phil Morriss, who both completed part-time GT3 Cup Challenge campaigns in 2016. Other inclusions to the Elite Class include rookies Brett Boulton, Nick Karnaros, Ben Stack – the son of long-time Porsche racer Bernie Stack – and Rob Woods.
Class B will include Michael Tsigeridis, who placed third in the Class B classification last season, and newcomer David Creig, while Aaron Ireland will compete in the Invitational Class in his Type 996 911 GT3 Cup.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold three races across its season opening round at Sandown Raceway as part of the 99th Shannons Nationals event.
To view the final two Porsche races of the weekend, be sure to tune into the event's Live Stream, available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday April 07, 2017
11:55am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
3:05pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday April 08, 2017
11:05am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:30pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday April 09, 2017
10:20am Race 2 (12 laps)
2:10pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Entry List
1. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
2. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
4. #21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
5. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
6. #25 Nick Karnaros (Elite Class) Porsche Centre Brighton
7. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
8. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
9. #65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing
10. #66 Aaron Ireland (Invitational Class) Creditline Finance
11. #68 Michael O'Donnell (Elite Class) SHOAL/Thomson Geer
12. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
13. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
15. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
16. #87 David Creig (Class B)
17. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
18. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
2017 Race Calendar
Round 1 – Sandown Raceway, Vic (April 07-09, 2017)
Round 2 – Phillip Island, Vic (May 26-28, 2017)
Round 3 – Winton Motor Raceway, Vic* (June 09-11, 2017)
Round 4 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW* (July 07-09, 2017)
Round 5 – Queensland Raceway, Qld* (Aug 04-06, 2017)
Round 6 – Phillip Island, Vic (September 08-10, 2017)
* denotes Jim Richards Endurance Trophy rounds
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News
Jordan Love to Receive Jamey Blaikie Scholarship in 2017
West Australian Jordan Love has been selected as the 2017 recipient of the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship as he prepares to contest the coming season of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli.
The 17-year-old progressed from karting into a successful open wheel racing career, in which he was crowned the 2015 Asia Cup Series champion before placing third in this year's Australian Formula 4 Championship.
Love will now transition into sports car racing with the hope of following in the footsteps of Matt Campbell, who used GT3 Cup Challenge as a launch pad towards Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and, ultimately, a Porsche supported drive in the 2017 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
"I'm thrilled to be selected as Australia's 2017 Porsche Junior and to race in next season's GT3 Cup Challenge series," said Love.
"GT3 Cup Challenge is the perfect next step from open wheelers to sports car racing, where I will be able to develop the skills needed to move to Carrera Cup in 2018.
"Like many young drivers in Australia, I plan to use the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid as a pathway to forge a career as a professional race driver. Obviously Matt Campbell is the best example of this and it's my ambition to follow in his footsteps – from GT3 Cup Challenge into Carrera Cup. From there, Matt has shown that if you have the talent, you can progress to the international motorsport stage with the support of Porsche.
"I have to thank both Porsche and Pirelli for this fantastic opportunity. I look forward to representing both brands in 2017 as the Australian Porsche Junior."
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski, believes that Love will benefit greatly from the programme as he begins his ascent of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
"It's great to welcome Jordan as our Porsche Junior in 2017. While we had many great applications for the scholarship, Jordan best displayed the qualities that we were looking for – namely driving talent, communication skills and future potential from such a programme. We were very impressed with the way Jordan presented himself and we feel that he will be a great ambassador for Porsche in 2017," said Sakzewski.
"As Jordan begins his climb of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, it's great for us to be able to present Matt Campbell as the yardstick for these drivers. Matt is the first driver to successfully graduate from both our Australian one-make series through to Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Europe. Almost all of our applicants named Matt's career path as one they wish to emulate, which reinforces the success and career potential the Porsche pathway presents.
"The Jamey Blaikie Scholarship has been a tremendous addition to Porsche Cars Australia's motorsport programme. Not only can we support young drivers, the programme is continued recognition of the late Jamey Blaikie and his contribution to Porsche one-make racing in Australia."
Love is the second ever recipient of the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship, following the inaugural recipient Jake Klarich, who placed third in his debut GT3 Cup Challenge season in 2016.
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News
Porsche Opens 2017 Junior Programme Applications
Porsche is inviting young motor racing aspirants to apply to become Australia's 2017 Porsche Junior.
Launching the driver development programme in 2016, Porsche will again award one young driving talent aged under 23 the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship to compete in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season.
Valued at over $40,000, scholarship benefits include a season's entry fee, race suits, driver mentoring, media and fitness training, along with a season's allocation of race tyres free of charge, provided by scholarship partner, Pirelli.
The inaugural recipient of the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship was Perth based driver Jake Klarich, who finished an impressive third outright in his maiden GT3 Cup Challenge season.
The driver development programme is structured to assist young drivers climb Australia's Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, from GT3 Cup Challenge through to Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Thereafter, there is the potential to progress to international Porsche one-make racing, including Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, through to Porsche Motorsport's global racing programme.
This driver progression model was proved successful by New Zealand sports car star Earl Bamber, who moved from GT3 Cup Challenge through to Carrera Cup, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche factory GT racing to eventually become the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans champion.
A local example of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid at work is Matt Campbell, who raced in GT3 Cup Challenge in 2014, finishing fourth outright in a 2005-spec Class B Porsche, before moving to Carrera Cup in 2015, placing third in his debut season, and ultimately winning the Carrera Cup title in 2016.
The German marque has a strong history of driver development with initiatives such as the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme, which annually promotes one Carrera Cup driver to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. The Jamey Blaikie Scholarship, named after the late Jamey Blaikie, the individual responsible for the introduction and growth of Porsche one-make racing in Australia and a strong supporter of emerging driving talent, will continue this support in the Australian market.
"We are pleased to continue this driver scholarship into the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season. This was very well received in 2016 and our first ever Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich, was a tremendous brand ambassador for Porsche both on and off the track," said Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski.
"We again look forward to supporting one young racer in 2017 in the GT3 Cup Challenge championship. Porsche provides an unrivalled, proven driver development pathway following the success of drivers like Earl Bamber and Matt Campbell. I encourage any young driver looking to follow in their footsteps to apply for our 2017 Porsche Junior position.
"Thank you to Pirelli for continuing as a major supporter of this programme and for assisting in the development of young Australian motor racing drivers."
Porsche Cars Australia is encouraging eligible drivers to send a completed Application Form and Driver CV to motorsport@porsche.com.au. Nominations will be accepted up until December 01, 2016.
Click here to download the 2017 Jamey Blaikie Scholarship Application Form.
Eligible drivers must be:
– be aged under 23 as of January 01, 2017
– be a resident of Australia
– be eligible for a CAMS Provisional Circuit (PC) License
– be able to show proof of success in motorsport/karting
– be able to secure season budget to the 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season
– not have raced a full season in Carrera Cup, GT3 Cup Challenge (Class A) or similar level GT, Touring Car or open wheel series
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News
Impressive Schedule Adds to Gt3 Cup Challenge Allure
The release of an impressive 2017 race schedule is the latest announcement adding to the appeal of the coming Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season.
Australia's most enjoyable and affordable professional motor racing series last month announced several initiatives, including entry incentives and a $60,000 prize pool, that will make the one-make series even more attractive in 2017.
In 2017, the series will race exclusively at CAMS National Racing Championships events, commencing at Sandown in April before heading to Phillip Island to compete at the same event as the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship, which itself will headline with its annual Pro-Am.
GT3 Cup Challenge will then visit Winton Motor Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway for the three Jim Richards Endurance Trophy rounds before returning to Phillip Island to conclude the season.
The 2017 calendar announcement follows the confirmation of several initiatives announced for the coming Porsche season:
– Jamey Blaikie Scholarship continues in 2017
– Free Carrera Cup entry for 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge champion
– $18,000 prize money to be won
– Half price Class B entry fees
– Additional three-round Class B title
The continuation of the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship will see Porsche and Pirelli back one up-and-coming racer in GT3 Cup Challenge, which was this year awarded to Perth based Jake Klarich. Applications for the 2017 Porsche Junior Programme Australia will open soon, which will again provide a support package worth over $40,000, including free entry to the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season, Pirelli race tyres, Porsche Junior race gear and mentoring and fitness training throughout the season.
Porsche will also continue to promote drivers up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, awarding the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge outright champion free entry to the 2018 Carrera Cup season, valued at approximately $40,000. This follows the crowning of former GT3 Cup Challenge runner, 21-year-old Matt Campbell, as Carrera Cup champion last weekend in Surfers Paradise.
In 2017, Porsche will award prize money in GT3 Cup Challenge, with a prize pool of $18,000 to be distributed to round winners of the Professional Class, Elite Class and Class B across the season's six events.
As an added incentive for competitors with Class B specification Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars (model year 2006-2009), Class B drivers will receive a 50 per cent reduction in 2017 entry fees. Meanwhile, the season entry fees for the Professional Class and Elite Class will be held at 2016 prices.
Class B will also feature a secondary title which counts the best three rounds from all Class B drivers, providing an incentive for part-time Class B drivers to commit to at least three rounds of the series.
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski, is expecting a strong season of GT3 Cup Challenge ahead, especially with the success shown by its 2014 graduate and now Carrera Cup champion, Matt Campbell.
"The 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge calendar is a great foundation for the coming season, where we have created several initiatives to entice more Porsche racers to the series," said Sakzewski.
"Matt Campbell is a great example of how young drivers can use GT3 Cup Challenge to boost their careers. He started in GT3 Cup Challenge in Class B in 2014, perfecting his craft before moving to Carrera Cup the following season. And in 2016, he won the Carrera Cup championship. This is a tremendous example for young drivers in series like Formula 4 and Formula Ford as to how they can use GT3 Cup Challenge as part of their career progression.
"The incentives are not exclusive to young drivers. We have included prize money for all three classes – Professional Class, Elite Class and Class B – while half-price entry fees and a three round mini-title will aim to attract more racers with Class B Porsches to the GT3 Cup Challenge category.
"We are thoroughly looking forward to the 2017 season, which is expecting to be a truly exciting year of Porsche racing."
2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli Race Calendar
Round 1 – Sandown Raceway, Vic (April 07-09, 2017)
Round 2 – Phillip Island, Vic (May 26-28, 2017)
Round 3 – Winton Motor Raceway, Vic* (June 09-11, 2017)
Round 4 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW* (July 07-09, 2017)
Round 5 – Queensland Raceway, Qld* (Aug 04-06, 2017)
Round 6 – Phillip Island, Vic (September 08-10, 2017)
* denotes Jim Richards Endurance Trophy rounds
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News
Porsche Boosts Incentives, Prize Money in 2017
Entry incentives and a prize pool worth $60,000 will highlight the 2017 season for one of Australia's most enjoyable and affordable professional motor racing series – Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli.
Pirelli will continue as the series' Presenting Partner and Tyre Supplier for the 2017 season, which will retain its six-round format. The one-make sports car series segue to Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will race at Sandown Raceway, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Winton Motor Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway and finishing once again at Phillip Island, the dates of which will be announced in the coming days. The popular Jim Richards Endurance Trophy will continue into 2017, to be held at the Winton, Sydney and Ipswich rounds.
Porsche will again award the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship to an up-and-coming young driver following Perth based Jake Klarich receiving the inaugural scholarship in 2016. Applications for the 2017 Porsche Junior Programme Australia will open soon, which will again provide a support package worth over $40,000, including free entry to the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season, Pirelli race tyres, Porsche Junior race gear and mentoring and fitness training throughout the season.
Porsche will also continue its assistance for young drivers looking to ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid from GT3 Cup Challenge into Porsche Carrera Cup Australia by providing free entry to the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge outright champion for the 2018 Carrera Cup season, valued at approximately $40,000. This prize is available to 2016 series champion, Hamish Hardeman, should he take the step to Australia's premier one-make championship. This is aimed to help young drivers to follow in the footsteps of Matt Campbell who, after racing in GT3 Cup Challenge, progressed to Carrera Cup and recently returned from the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout with the chance to become a Porsche Junior and race in the 2017 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season.
In 2017, Porsche will award prize money in GT3 Cup Challenge, with a prize pool of $18,000 to be distributed to round winners of the Professional Class, Elite Class and Class B across the season's six events.
As an added incentive for competitors with Class B specification Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars (model year 2006-2009), Class B drivers will receive a 50 per cent reduction in 2017 entry fees. Meanwhile, the season entry fees for the Professional Class and Elite Class will be held at 2016 prices.
Class B will also feature a secondary title which counts the best three rounds from all Class B drivers, providing an incentive for part-time Class B drivers to commit to at least three rounds of the series.
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski, is thrilled to announce the new initiatives for the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season.
"We are very much looking forward to the 2017 season of GT3 Cup Challenge, which will provide greater incentives than ever, while continuing the many elements that have made the series so popular over recent years," said Sakzewski.
"Class B will receive a boost in 2017 with the addition of new incentives, including reduced entry fees and the three-round Class B title in addition to its full-season points race. There are many Class B Porsches parked in garages and participating in Porsche Club events and it's our intention to bring some of these into the GT3 Cup Challenge series. Once many of these drivers get a taste of what the series is about – fun, friendly motor racing with the professional support of Porsche – they have the option to race when they want and have the eventual choice to progress up a clearly defined driver progression path provided by Porsche – including the move to a Class A spec car and, eventually, Carrera Cup.
"We're also thrilled to enter another season with the support of Pirelli, which has been a driving force not only for the success of the series, but also for the Porsche Junior programme. We look forward to working with Pirelli in its fifth straight season as part of GT3 Cup Challenge."
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News
Hardeman, Miles and Barwood Crowned 2016 Champions
Hamish Hardeman is the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli outright champion following an exciting season finale at Phillip Island, while Tim Miles and Shane Barwood claimed their respective Elite Class and Class B crowns.
While Hardeman ultimately won the war, the opening Phillip Island battle was taken out by his closest points rival, Jaxon Evans. Qualifying second alongside Hardeman, Evans was able to get the best jump off the start line and produced a tremendous lights-to-flag victory over Hardeman and Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich. Sam Shahin placed fourth and edged closer to Miles in the Elite Class points after the latter endured a horror race, finishing sixth in class and ninth outright.
Evans looked set for a second straight victory in race two; though constant challenges from Hardeman ended with Hardeman passing Evans on the approach to the chequered flag as Evans was slightly balked by a lapped competitor – only 0.04secs the difference as the duo crossed the finish line.
Miles bounced back to take the Elite Class race two win, benefiting from an opening lap incident involving class front-runners Shahin and Brian Finn, and Klarich, who's weekend ended early due to the significant damage from the altercation.
Entering the final race with a substantial 20 point lead, Hardeman placed second in the final race to secure the 2016 GT3 Cup Challenge title in the outright and Professional Class classifications, a highlight in the young racer's short racing career.
"I'm absolutely over the moon. I'm so happy not just for me, but for the team, my whole family and everyone who has been a part of this. I couldn't have asked for a better result," said Hardeman.
"It's great competing with Jaxon all season long. We have similar abilities and every time we rock up to a new track you know he was going to be straight on the pace. He's been a great competitor, which makes this victory all the more special; I had to work really hard for it.
"I have to thank Greg Taylor from Residential Group, Michael Northwood from Wild Planet Off-Road and Sven Burchartz from Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers for their support throughout the season. Without them and many others, this title wouldn't be possible."
Miles went on to finish an impressive third in the final race, though the race two victory gained the Sydneysider an unassailable lead in the standings.
"I'm absolutely chuffed. It was my goal to win the Elite Class at the start of the year but the competition has been really tough all season long, so I'm thrilled to have won," said Miles, who placed second for the Phillip Island round in class behind first-time Elite Class round winner, Anthony Gilbertson, who was second in class for all three races.
"I loved the season. The McElrea Racing crew did a fantastic job not only preparing the car, but working on me to make sure I drive better. But we've had fun the whole way. I really enjoyed myself," added Miles.
Shane Barwood capped a strong year with victory in Class B for the round and for the season – his first title in the category. With victory in the opening two Class B race, Brendon Cook suffered a DNF in the final race to drop to second in the round class points, with Michael Tsigeridis in third.
"I'm rapt. We are here racing for fun, but you learn a lot along the way. If you keep racing and keep it on the black stuff, you accrue enough points to win the class. There are a great bunch of guys to race with, especially in Class B; it's a smaller, but close-knit group. It's was a shame Danny [Stutterd] couldn't be here this weekend, but it was a great year all round," said Barwood.
The 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli calendar will be announced in the coming weeks.
Race 1 Results
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-it / Willship – 10 laps
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing – 10 laps
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 10 laps
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) htfu – 10 laps
5. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Movie 8 Racing / Hallmark Home – 10 laps
6. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D / Force Accessories – 10 laps
7. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 10 laps
8. #90 Sven Burchartz (Elite Class) Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers – 10 laps
9. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 10 laps
10. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 10 laps
11. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF Family & Cosmetic Dental – 10 laps
12. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopendic Group – 10 laps
13. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar – 10 laps
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 10 laps
Race 2 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing – 11 laps
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-it / Willship – 11 laps
3. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 11 laps
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Movie 8 Racing / Hallmark Home – 11 laps
5. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 11 laps
6. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 11 laps
7. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF Family & Cosmetic Dental – 11 laps
8. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar – 11 laps
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopendic Group – 11 laps
10. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) htfu – 11 laps
11. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D / Force Accessories – 10 laps
DNF #90 Sven Burchartz (Elite Class) Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers – 1 lap
DNF #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
DNF #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
Race 3 Results
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-it / Willship – 11 laps
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing – 11 laps
3. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 11 laps
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Movie 8 Racing / Hallmark Homes – 11 laps
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) htfu – 11 laps
6. #90 Sven Burchartz (Elite Class) Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers – 11 laps
7. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D / Force Accessories – 11 laps
8. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 11 laps
9. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 11 laps
10. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopendic Group – 11 laps
DNF #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar – 7 laps
DNF #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF Family & Cosmetic Dental – 7 laps
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News
Hardeman, Gilbertson and Barwood Top Qualifying for Season Finale
Title hopeful Hamish Hardeman has completed the opening day of the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series finale in perfect fashion, claiming pole position for the first of three championship deciding races.
The series leader navigated tricky, variable weather conditions in qualifying to post the quickest time (1:44.1281), 0.19secs ahead of his title rival Jaxon Evans, with fellow Professional Class racer, Jake Klarich, in third. The drying circuit saw almost the entire field post their best time on the final two laps of the session.
Hardeman's best time was achieved on his final lap of the day and will start tomorrow's all important race one in the number one grid position.
"That was an exciting qualifying session. I was happy to put a good lap together and take pole position; I'll just push forward into race one with that confidence and hopefully get a solid result," said Hardeman.
"I'll go home, get a good night's sleep and come into tomorrow with a good mindset entering the first of three important races."
Anthony Gilbertson had his best qualifying effort of the season in fourth, claiming pole position in the Elite Class after a tumultuous session on track.
"I'm stoked to get my first pole position in the Elite Class. This was my first time driving in the wet, ever, and my first time driving with wet tyres on any race car so I'm really happy to get pole position under those circumstances," said Gilbertson.
"I went into the tyre barrier on my first flying lap. I came into the pits, then tried to ease back into the session, getting quicker and quicker before getting the job done on the last lap."
Sam Shahin was a close second in class after the Friday afternoon session, a narrow 0.04secs off Gilbertson's best time, with Elite Class points leader Tim Miles in third from Brian Finn, Ross McGregor and series returnee and series co-founder, Sven Burchartz, ninth overall and sixth in class.
Michael Stillwell was the 10th best qualifier from Class B pace-setter Shane Barwood, Michael Tsigeridis, Brendan Cook and Tony Martin.
The final three races of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series will be held on Saturday, with all three titles – Professional Class, Elite Class and Class B – to be decided on the final day of competition.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 10, 2016
9:55am Race 1 (11 laps)
12:25pm Race 2 (11 laps)
4:10pm Race 3 (11 laps)
Qualifying Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing – 1:44.1281*
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-it / Willship – 1:44.3210s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 1:45.7684s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Movie 8 Racing / Hallmark Homes – 1:47.1549s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) htfu – 1:47.1954s
6. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 1:47.2777s
7. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D / Force Accessories – 1:48.0642s
8. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:48.1200s
9. #90 Sven Burchartz (Elite Class) Kalus Kenny Itelex Lawyers – 1:48.5640s
10. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 1:50.2821s
11. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopendic Group – 1:52.8229s
12. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 1:53.6599s
13. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF Family & Cosmetic Dental – 1:53.6728s
14. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar – 1:55.8652s
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News
Porsche Series Enters Thrilling Season Finale
The battle of two young racers will come to a head this weekend as the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series embarks on its 2016 season finale at Phillip Island, where all class titles will be decided.
Hamish Hardeman and Jaxon Evans have battled closely throughout the season, claiming five and seven respective race wins a piece. Hardeman has finished inside the top three in every race this year, while Evans sustained a costly DNF at Winton, handing Hardeman a valuable buffering entering the latter stages of the season.
Evans has momentum on his side, however, claiming pole position, three race wins with three fastest laps at the penultimate Ipswich round.
"I took as many points as I could out of Hamish's championship lead at Queensland Raceway. I'll plan to do the same at Phillip Island. I really enjoy the track so it will be interest to see how it all unfolds at the season finale," said Evans.
The Elite Class battle will also come down to the final round, though heartache for the points runner-up, Sam Shahin, in Queensland provided Tim Miles a handy lead entering the final round. Shahin was en route to his maiden class race and round win at the penultimate round before a snapped throttle cable ended his race three in the final stages. Shahin's despair was delight to Miles' title aspirations; the Sydneysider now sits 43 points ahead of Shahin with three races remaining.
While the Elite Class title will be fought out at Phillip Island, another class highlight is the inclusion of one of the series' founders, Sven Burchartz.
The inaugural series champion in 2008 and 2009 series runner-up, Burchartz was pivotal in bringing GT3 Cup Challenge to Australian race tracks and was one of the series' front-runners in its early years, claiming one series title, one round win, three race wins, two pole positions and eight round podium results in his 16 GT3 Cup Challenge round starts.
Anthony Gilbertson and Brian Finn will fight for third in the Elite Class at Phillip Island, while Michael Stillwell and Mike Vati return to GT3 Cup Challenge competition after stints in the series earlier in the season.
Shane Barwood looks set to capture his maiden Class B crown this weekend at Phillip Island. The Melbourne racer has had a consistent year in the division, visiting the round podium at each event and claiming his first round win at Sydney in July.
The unique round format will see all practice and qualifying sessions completed on Friday, while all three races will be held on Saturday before the 2016 Awards Night celebrations that evening.
Race Schedule
Friday September 09, 2016
10:10am Practice 1 (25 minutes)
12:40pm Practice 2 (25 minutes)
3:50pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
Saturday September 10, 2016
9:55am Race 1 (11 laps)
12:25pm Race 2 (11 laps)
4:10pm Race 3 (11 laps)
Round 6 Entry List
1. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory Partners
2. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia
3. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue
4. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
5. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF Family & Cosmetic Dental Spa
6. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
7. #17 Michael Vati (Elite Class) Zoo York
8. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
10. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
11. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
12. #90 Sven Burchartz (Elite Class) Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers
13. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
14. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
15. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Evans, Campbell and Taylor Top Penultimate Qr Round
Jaxon Evans has given himself the best possible chance to capture the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli title at the 2016 season finale at Phillip Island following a perfect round at Queensland Raceway, while Jim Campbell and Scott Taylor claimed class victories, the former topping the Elite Class at the expense of Sam Shahin, who endured race three heartache.
Evans began the weekend with victory in the opening race, the series' 150th, in doing so claiming the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. Evans completed the weekend with two race wins on Sunday, reducing his points margin to series leader Hamish Hardeman to just 23 and 26 points in the Outright and Professional Class classifications, respectively.
"It was a great weekend, taking pole position and three race wins. I did all I could this weekend to reduce to points gap to Hamish and I'll plan to do the same at Phillip Island. I just hope we're still in contention for the title entering the final race of the season," said Evans.
Hardeman placed second in all three races, while Jake Klarich bounced back from a race one DNF to place third in each of the Sunday 12 lap races.
The Elite Class battle went down to the closing laps of race three; Shahin looked set to take his maiden race and round victory in the class in the closing moments until his throttle cable broke, leaving the South Australian with a DNF and ruing the missed opportunity.
"It was a breakout weekend for me, to be honest. I got the most out of the car and I felt like a kid in a candy store, even during the races. It was heartbreak on the last lap to break the throttle cable in what would have been my first race win and round win and being almost equal on points with the class leader entering the final round," said Shahin.
Meanwhile, Campbell, who took the Elite Class win in race two, had his own issues in the final race; spinning on the opening lap before finishing fifth in class and securing the Elite Class round win from Anthony Gilbertson and Brian Finn.
"It was a great win. I feel sorry for Sam; we had a great battle in race two but the poor guy's throttle cable broke in the final race. And Tim Miles was fast also; both he and Sam would have beaten me fair and square this weekend. But you've got to be there in the end, which we were," said Campbell.
Scott Taylor relished his return to GT3 Cup Challenge racing at 'The Paperclip', taking two class wins on Sunday to ultimately claim the class round win ahead of points leader Danny Stutterd and Shane Barwood in the class that produced some of the best racing for the weekend.
"I am stoked. To have a fun weekend without the pressure of a high profile event was great," said Taylor who, of late, has raced in the Carrera Cup and Australian GT championships.
"It was more relaxed and, funnily enough, I reckon I learnt more this weekend than I have for a long time in a race car. This was my first ever Porsche race car; it's older which meant that everything was a bit slower, and the racing was great between all the guys in the class. I really enjoyed it."
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli returns for its final round of the 2016 season this September at Phillip Island.
Race 2 Results
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 12 laps, 14:22.9989s
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services – 12 laps, 14:24.2686s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 12 laps, 14:45.9552s
4. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 12 laps, 14:47.1455s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 12 laps, 14:47.3837s
6. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes – 12 laps, 14:54.0269s
7. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 12 laps, 14:55.8034s
8. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 12 laps, 15:05.7834s
9. #222 Scott Taylor (Class B) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 12 laps, 15:07.0738s
10. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF/Cosmetic Dental Spa – 12 laps, 15:08.9907s
11. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 12 laps, 15:16.3100s
12. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 12 laps, 15:24.2810s
13. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue – 11 laps, 14:37.9383s
DNF #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory
Race 3 Results
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 12 laps, 14:30.4840s
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services – 12 laps, 14:33.4741s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 12 laps, 14:39.4422s
4. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes – 12 laps, 14:54.4635s
5. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 12 laps, 15:03.1203s
6. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 12 laps, 15:10.4401s
7. #222 Scott Taylor (Class B) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 12 laps, 15:15.0603s
8. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 12 laps, 15:15.0674s
9. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue – 12 laps, 15:32.4688s
10. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 12 laps, 15:37.4372s
11. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 12 laps, 15:43.1482s
DNF #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 11 laps, 13:54.7878s
DNF #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF/Cosmetic Dental Spa
DNF #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory
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News
Evans Crowned Endurance Champion
Race one victory has secured Jaxon Evans the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy for 2016 following a flawless 40 laps of Queensland Raceway, in what was the series' 150th race.
Starting from pole position, Evans dominated race from its outset, charging to the lead ahead of Hamish Hardeman, with whom Evans was equal on points in the endurance standings entering the third race of the three-race endurance battle.
Evans pulled a four second gap before the safety car was called to the circuit with 10 laps remaining and, when the green flag was once again waved, he was left seven laps to defend the front position; a task he achieved with impeccable driving, claiming a 2.3 second victory over Hardeman.
"It's really special to win the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. Hamish and I were level on points heading into the weekend, so it was great to get the win and come away with the trophy," said Evans.
"The longer races are good fun; it's a good test to see how consistent and level-headed you can remain instead of just having one lap speed. I was a little bit concerned when the safety car came out; I worked hard to get a gap and the safety car made everything a bit tougher. This is our home track; we've done a test day here earlier in the year and it certainly paid off."
Third place went to Elite Class victor Tim Miles, who impressed with pace close to that of the leading duo.
"It was fantastic to get the Elite Class race win. It was quite a boring race because I wasn't quite quick enough to keep up with the young fellas and there was a reasonable gap to the rest of the Elite Class guys," said Miles.
"I just drove around looking after my tyres and when the safety car came out I thought that, because my tyres were better, that I might be able to challenge the pro drivers, but by the time I got past some lapped traffic they'd taken off. At the end I was only two-tenths off the front guys' lap times, which was good."
Jim Campbell and Sam Shahin finished second and third in the Elite Class following a thrilling battle, one position ahead of consistent Elite Class performer, Brian Finn.
The fight for seventh through to 10th provided the most exciting battles of Saturday's race, eventually won by Class B race winner Brendan Cook in his first GT3 Cup Challenge race of the season. Class B points leader Danny Stutterd placed second in the battle pack, and class, from Tony Martin and Scott Taylor.
Shane Barwood finished 11th from Ross McGregor and 13th placed Anthony Gilbertson, who was the cause of the late race safety car after a spin at turn two.
John Morriss and Jake Klarich failed to finish due to mechanical issues, the latter returning to the pits with clutch dramas while placed third.
The final two races of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will be held on Sunday which, along with the entire Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals race schedule, can be viewed via live stream at the Shannons Nationals website, www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday July 31, 2016
10:10am – Race 2 (12 laps)
1:35pm – Race 3 (12 laps)
Race 1 Results
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 40 laps, 51:01.2449s
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services – 40 laps, 51:03.5612s
3. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 40 laps, 51:10.2465s
4. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 40 laps, 51:17.6343s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 40 laps, 51:20.4350s
6. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 40 laps, 51:26.9962s
7. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF/Cosmetic Dental Spa – 39 laps, 51:26.5118s
8. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 39 laps, 51:27.5324s
9. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue – 39 laps, 51:31.6988s
10. #222 Scott Taylor (Class B) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 39 laps, 51:32.3060s
11. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 39 laps, 51:35.3621s
12. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 38 laps, 51:28.1803s
13. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes – 35 laps, 51:41.5314s
DNF #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd – 28 laps, 36:31.4447s
DNF #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 1 lap, 1:19.4532s
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News
Tight at the Front Ahead of Qr Endurance Decider
The theme of the penultimate Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli round at Queensland Raceway has been set early: A thrilling battle between series front-runners Hamish Hardeman and Jaxon Evans, who had the upper-hand in Friday practice.
The opening day of the penultimate round was met with perfect conditions, with local ace Evans posting the quickest time across the two practice sessions, a mere 0.05secs from his points rival Hardeman ahead of tomorrow's final practice and the all-important qualifying session. Thereafter, the field will line up for the final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season – the series' 150th race – which will determine the endurance champion for 2016.
Evans and Hardeman enter Saturday evening's 40-lap endurance race equal on points at the top of the endurance standings; the duo has a win-a-piece from the previous Winton and Sydney endurance battles.
In addition to the pace-setting Evans, McElrea Racing's three other drivers had a strong opening day at 'The Paperclip' – the team's test track; Tim Miles was the third quickest driver from Porsche Junior Jake Klarich and Jim Campbell.
Sam Shahin was the third best Elite Class runner from Brian Finn, Anthony Gilbertson, John Morriss and Class B pace-setter, series returnee Brendan Cook. Ross McGregor was 11th fastest from Scott Taylor, Class B points leader Daniel Stutterd, Shane Barwood and Tony Martin.
Now in its 51st round, the Porsche series will tomorrow feature its 150th race since starting in Australia in 2008, in which time it has hosted 161 drivers across nine seasons.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold its third practice session, qualifying and opening race on Saturday, followed by its final two races of the weekend on Sunday – both of which can be viewed online, along with the entire Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals Sunday race schedule, via live stream at the Shannons Nationals website, www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule Saturday July 30, 2016
10:10am – Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:30pm – Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:50pm – Race 1 (40 laps)
Sunday July 31, 2016
10:10am – Race 2 (12 laps)
1:35pm – Race 3 (12 laps)
Combined Practice Times (Practice 1/Practice 2)
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 1:11.4309*
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services – 1:11.4811s
3. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 1:12.4294s
4. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 1:12.9126s
5. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 1:13.0204s
6. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:13.1052s
7. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 1:14.1727s
8. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes – 1:14.3069s
9. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd – 1:14.3631s
10. #12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF/Cosmetic Dental Spa – 1:14.5385s
11. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:14.6358s
12. #22 Scott Taylor (Class B) Scott Taylor Motorsport – 1:15.1205s
13. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 1:15.7118s
14. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:16.1757s
15. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue – 1:17.5831s
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News
Series' 150th Race to Crown Endurance Champion
The scene is set for a thrilling Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series showdown this weekend as two young chargers shoot for Jim Richards Endurance Trophy honours in the series' 150th race.
Hamish Hardeman and Jaxon Evans currently sit level on points in the Endurance Trophy standings entering the season's penultimate round and therefore, the milestone 150th GT3 Cup Challenge race since its 2008 debut will determine the 2016 Endurance Champion.
Evans edged ahead in the endurance battle by securing victory in the Winton long-distance race, while series leader Hardeman levelled the endurance standings with victory in Sydney.
"It was great to get the endurance victory in Sydney, which certainly gives me confidence heading into the Queensland Raceway round," said Hardeman."
I came into GT3 Cup Challenge half way through last season and Queensland Raceway was my first round, where I performed reasonably well. I also won there in national Formula Ford, so I have reasonable experience there. I know Queensland Raceway is Jaxon's home track, but I'm going to be pushing hard to beat him there."
Two third-place finishes sees rookie Jake Klarich third in the Endurance Trophy standings from Elite Class pace-setters David Ryan, Tim Miles, Brian Finn and Sam Shahin.
Miles, while seemingly out of Endurance Trophy contention, will aim to continue his Elite Class lead heading into the second-to-last round. The Sydneysider holds a 59 lead from Adelaide racer, Shahin, who returns to the scene of his first podium finish last season.
Continued efforts from Anthony Gilbertson, Finn, John Morriss, Jim Campbell, Ross McGregor and the return of Tony Martin will ensure a competitive Elite Class in Queensland.
A boosted Class B field will also feature at 'The Paperclip'; Sydney round winner Shane Barwood is joined by class leader Danny Stutterd, Carrera Cup racer Scott Taylor and Brendan Cook, who joins the series for the first time this season this weekend.
The Professional Class fight will also be one to watch, with Hardeman holding a 38 point class lead from season-long combatant Evans with six races remaining for the season.
To view the final two races of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Queensland Raceway along with the entire Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, view the live stream at the Shannons Nationals website, www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday July 29, 2016
12:15pm – Practice 1 (20 minutes)
2:45pm – Practice 2 (20 minutes)
Saturday July 30, 2016
10:10am – Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:30pm – Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:50pm – Race 1 (40 laps)
Sunday July 31, 2016
10:10am – Race 2 (12 laps)
1:35pm – Race 3 (12 laps)
Entry List
#4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators/Miles Advisory Partners
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue
#10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
#12 Brendan Cook (Class B) OLOF/Family & Cosmetic Dental Spa
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd.
#72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing
#82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
#91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
#95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
#222 Scott Taylor (Class B) Scott Taylor Motorsport
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News
Hardeman, Miles Claim Milestone Round Honours
Thrilling racing and incredible competition highlighted the 50th round of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Sydney Motorsport Park, where Hamish Hardeman and Tim Miles extended their respective series leads with round victory.
The milestone Sydney event was a fitting reminder of why the one-make series has enjoyed success in Australia since 2008 with some of the season's best on-track battles.
Sunday began with the second Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season – a traditional fixture for Saturday afternoons. Another change was the victor; following Hardeman's win at the Winton endurance race, Evans was able to square the endurance points with a dominant race victory.
The race also saw some incredible Elite Class action, including a tremendous dice between David Ryan and Miles and between Anthony Gilbertson and Jim Campbell, though contact in the latter battle late in the race saw Campbell's car spectacularly launched into the air and ultimately end his race.
Much of the action in the final race was at the front; Hardeman and Evans competing for the top spot in the closing laps, with the duo heading side-by-side into turn seven and eight on the final lap.
Hardeman was the ultimate race three and round victor, extending his lead in the standings.
"I'm stoked with the round win. I would have liked it to be a little easier, but having that pressure from Jaxon is good; it pushes us both to improve. That last race was pretty tight but it was great to come away with the win," said Hardeman.
"This has been some of the closest racing I've had since Formula Ford. Back then we had the top five swapping spots and that last race brought back some of those memories; two wide around Corporate Hill was pretty hairy stuff."
Evans placed second in the Professional Class for the round, followed by Jake Klarich, whose impressive race three form saw him finish narrowly behind the leading duo.
Ryan looked certain for Elite Class round success after two race wins; however the Sydneysider had a water leak on the dummy grid for race three, ending his weekend early. A class win in the final race then handed Miles the class round win from a consistent Sam Shahin and Ryan in third.
"I'm obviously chuffed to come away with the win. I feel like I stole it a bit; Dave was really quick all weekend, he beat me by three tenths in qualifying and I couldn't get past him in race one and race two. If he didn't have a car problem it would have been his," said Miles.
"I'm enjoying good racing at the moment as much as going for the championship. It's fun having some decent racing in a great series."
Shane Barwood was the best of the Class B runners for the weekend, taking a clean sweep of race wins in the class, though Neville Stewart improved as the round continued, ultimately taking the fastest lap in class in the final race.
Hardeman departed the Sydney round with a 41 point lead in the outright standings and a 38 point lead in the Professional Class points, with Evans and Klarich second and third in each classification.
Miles has increased his Elite Class points lead to 59 from Shahin, Ryan and Gilbertson while Shane Barwood has reduced his deficit to Danny Stutterd in the Class B standings to just 33 points.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will now head to Queensland Raceway for the penultimate round of the 2016 season on July 29-31, 2016.
Race 2 Results
- #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 30 laps – 46:29.0913s
- #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services, 30 laps – 46:33.8523s
- #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 30 laps – 47:01.3919s
- #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 30 laps – 47:42.1263s
- #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd, 30 laps – 47:46.3269s
- #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 30 laps – 47:56.9119s
- #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 29 laps – 46:55.2072s
- #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 29 laps – 47:03.6569s
- #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 29 laps – 47:19.6450s
- #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes, 29 laps – 47:36.3748s
- #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 28 laps – 46:29.9232s
- #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue, 28 laps – 47:15.5256s
DNF #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 22 laps – 34:56.0624s
DNF #8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics, 2 laps – 47:02.8668s
Race 3 Results
1 10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services, 9 laps – 14:06.6504s
2 91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 9 laps – 14:07.2397s
3 95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 9 laps – 14:07.6689s
4 4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 9 laps – 14:24.5705s
5 19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes, 9 laps – 14:27.2151s
6 13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 9 laps – 14:31.3674s
7 72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 9 laps – 14:33.0583s
8 99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 9 laps – 14:41.0360s
9 82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 9 laps – 14:58.4556s
10 9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue, 9 laps – 15:12.8712s
11 21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 9 laps – 15:13.6732s
12 8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics, 9 laps – 15:14.0967s
DNF 34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd, 2 laps – 4:10.3343s
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News
Evans Levels Enduro Points With Dominant Race 2 Win
Jaxon Evans has levelled the points at the top of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy standings following victory in Sunday's race two at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Evans led from the outset of the 30 lap event, claiming a dominant five second win from race one winner, Hamish Hardeman. Jake Klarich placed third; the top three spreading out early in what was an uneventful race at the front.
Evans now sits level with Hardeman at the top of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy standings following the latter's endurance race victory at Winton earlier in the season.
David Ryan topped an eventful Elite Class battle for the 30 lap race; Ryan battled with Tim Miles for much of the race until Miles ran wide at turn two mid-race, dropping down the order.
Meanwhile Anthony Gilbertson and Jim Campbell came together at turn two, resulting in Campbell's car being catapulted into the air, the contact and landing causing race ending damage to Campbell's while Gilbertson continued with front-end damage.
John Morriss held a consistent race to place fifth from Miles, Sam Shahin, Brian Finn, Ross McGregor, Gilbertson and Class B race winner in 11th.
Race 3 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, along with the remainder of Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals round in Sydney, is available watch via live stream from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday July 03, 2016
1:17pm Race 3 (9 laps)
Race 2 Results
- #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 30 laps – 46:29.0913s
- #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services, 30 laps – 46:33.8523s
- #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 30 laps – 47:01.3919s
- #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 30 laps – 47:42.1263s
- #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd, 30 laps – 47:46.3269s
- #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 30 laps – 47:56.9119s
- #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 29 laps – 46:55.2072s
- #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 29 laps – 47:03.6569s
- #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 29 laps – 47:19.6450s
- #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes, 29 laps – 47:36.3748s
- #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 28 laps – 46:29.9232s
- #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue, 28 laps – 47:15.5256s
DNF #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 22 laps – 34:56.0624s
DNF #8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics, 1 lap – 47:02.8668s
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News
Hardeman, Ryan Claim Thrilling Sydney Opener
Series front-runner Hamish Hardeman didn't make the same mistake twice to claim the opening Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli race at Sydney Motorsport Park, while Sydneysider David Ryan held rivals at bay to take the Elite Class win.
Hardeman and pole-sitter Jaxon Evans both drove incredibly in the nine lap Saturday race, pulling away from the field from the start, where the former took the lead.
While pressured in the final stages of the race, Hardeman reflected on lessons learnt from the final race at the series' previous Sydney round, where a mistake while leading handed Evans the win – a mistake he wouldn't make twice.
Hardeman was the first to greet the chequered flag and, in the process, posted a new track lap record with a time of 1:30.8922, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:31.6017 of Ryan Simpson from last season.
"I'm very happy with that performance. Considering I have been second to Jaxon all weekend it was good that, when it finally counts, I got a good start and kept in front of him," said Hardeman.
"I learnt a big lesson after the last time we were here when I was leading for 22 laps and then lost it under a bit of pressure. This time I managed to stay in front and get the win.
"I'm now looking forward to start off the front tomorrow. I have to make sure I drive the car properly so that I don't wear out the tyres and try to get another win."
Evans placed second from fellow Professional Class runner, Jake Klarich, who battled with Elite Class racers Tim Miles and Ryan throughout the race.
Ryan claimed the Elite Class race win from fellow local racer Miles; the win follows Ryan's clean sweep of class race wins in Sydney earlier in the season from round two.
"It was a great result today but, more to the point, there was some great racing with both Tim and Jake," said Ryan.
"It was good to be quickest this morning in qualifying. The cars were incredibly fast; the fastest we've been around here. The track has been good today, there were some really fast times and some great racing. It's an awesome circuit; very fast, flowing and a real driver's track."
Miles placed second in class from Sam Shahin, Jim Campbell, John Morriss, Anthony Gilbertson, Brian Finn and Ross McGregor in 11th.
Sydney racer Shane Barwood was the best of the Class B runners in 12th, holding off a late challenge from Tony Martin, with Neville Stewart in 14th.
Sunday's race two will be the second of the three-part Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. The round will conclude after race three, where drivers will not only race for round honours but also a unique prize: Porsche will award the Professional Class and Elite Class round winners the use of a Porsche sports car for a weekend to mark the series' milestone 50th round this weekend.
Both Sunday races of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, along with the entire Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals round in Sydney, are available watch via live stream from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Sunday July 03, 2016
9:34pm Race 2 (30 laps)
1:17pm Race 3 (9 laps)
Race 1 Results
- #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services, 9 laps – 13:50.1015s
- #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 9 laps – 13:50.4899s
- #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 9 laps – 14:07.5591s
- #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 9 laps – 14:10.1452s
- #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 9 laps – 14:10.5694s
- #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 9 laps – 14:12.1828s
- #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 9 laps – 14:17.3523s
- #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd, 9 laps – 14:21.1138s
- #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes, 9 laps – 14:28.6807s
- #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 9 laps – 14:29.7304s
- #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 9 laps – 14:35.6148s
- #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 9 laps – 14:58.2381s
- #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue, 9 laps – 14:59.0550s
- #8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner/Racing Dynamic, 9 laps – 15:09.2231s
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News
Evans and Miles Top Quick Sydney Practice
Australian-based Kiwi racers, Jaxon Evans and Tim Miles, have topped Friday practice in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli's 50th round at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Evans looks to continue his success at the Sydney venue this weekend; the Queensland resident was untouchable at the series' second round in 2016 at the New South Wales circuit to claim a clean sweep of race wins.
Evans' best lap of 1:30.9875 was a mere 0.04secs ahead of series leader Hamish Hardeman and substantially quicker than the current race lap record of 1:31.6017, posted by Ryan Simpson last season.
"It's good to see some low lap times today. Now we're looking to claw back some points after losing the series lead at Winton. But I'm happy with our Friday pace," said Evans.
"I've always enjoyed driving at this circuit; I rate it as one of the best in Australia. And the track today was very fast; we're already posting times quicker than what we saw at Rennsport. I'm happy to show our pace and we'll see what we can do tomorrow."
Hardeman, who holds a 34 point lead in the Professional Class standings, was second quickest from Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich in third.
Miles was the best of the Elite Class racers in Friday practice; the Sydneysider posted a time just one second adrift of pace-setter Evans and over a second ahead of his closest class rival.
Sam Shahin was second quickest in the Elite Class and fifth outright from Anthony Gilbertson, Winton class round winner Jim Campbell, John Morriss, Brian Finn, Ross McGregor, David Ryan, Shane Barwood and Tony Martin.
To mark the significance of the 50th round milestone, Porsche will award the Professional Class and Elite Class round winners the use of a Porsche sports car for a weekend, adding to the incentive to perform at the Sydney circuit.
The two Sunday races of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, along with the entire Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals round in Sydney, is available to view via live stream from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Saturday July 02, 2016
8:50am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:12pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:53pm Race 1 (9 laps)
Sunday July 03, 2016
9:34pm Race 2 (30 laps)
1:17pm Race 3 (9 laps)
Combined Practice Times
1. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 1:30.7925*
2. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services – 1:30.8406s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 1:31.4906s
4. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators/Miles Advisory – 1:31.8174s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:32.8379s
6. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes – 1:33.2400s
7. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 1:33.9786s
8. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic – 1:34.6047s
9. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd – 1:34.6245s
10. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 1:35.0243s
11. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:35.2048s
12. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:38.3161s
13. #9 Tony Martin (QLD) Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue – 1:40.1539s
14. #8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner/Racing Dynamic – 1:40.4406s
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News
Porsche Adds Incentive to Milestone Round
You only hit 50 once, so Porsche is keen to celebrate.
With this weekend marking the 50th round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series, Porsche Cars Australia has added an incentive for Sydney success.
At Sydney Motorsport Park, the round winners of the Professional Class and Elite Class will each receive the use of a Porsche sports car for a weekend.
"It's a special occasion for the series, which has been successfully run in Australia since 2008," said Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski.
"The GT3 Cup Challenge series is a crucial part of our Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, in which it accompanies our halo Carrera Cup championship, and provides a truly exceptional place to race for our customers.
"We wanted to reiterate Porsche's commitment to GT3 Cup Challenge and also allow those winning drivers a Porsche experience with a difference – on the road as opposed to the race track. We provided a similar incentive for the series' 100 race at Phillip Island in 2013 with great success and we look forward to again presenting this unique prize at the end of the weekend."
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold three races across the Sydney Motorsport Park round, which includes the second of three Jim Richards Endurance Trophy races for the season.
To watch the final two Porsche races from Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, along with the entire Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, view the live stream available at www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday July 01, 2016
11:50am – Practice 1 (20 minutes)
3:15pm Practice 2 (20 minutes)
Saturday July 02, 2016
8:50am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:12pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:53pm Race 1 (9 laps)
Sunday July 03, 2016
9:34pm Race 2 (30 laps)
1:17pm Race 3 (9 laps)
Entry List
#4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory Partners
#8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue
#10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd.
#72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing
#82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
#91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
#95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Gt3 Cup Challenge Hits 50 Rounds in Sydney
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli this weekend celebrates its 50th round as it continues the 2016 edition of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The milestone round will see the series' 147th, 148th and 149th races held since its 2008 inception, in which time 161 drivers have competed in the one-make series – the most capped of which being John Goodacre (34), Jeff Bobik (27), Terry Knight, John Morriss (24) and Jon Trende (22) during the past nine years.
GT3 Cup Challenge now heads to Sydney Motorsport Park to kick start the second half of the season and hold its second Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the three-race mini series.
Following success in the opening long-distance race at Winton Motor Raceway, Hamish Hardeman currently leads the way in the Endurance Trophy standings from fellow Professional Class runners Jaxon Evans and Jake Klarich.
Hardeman also enters the weekend as the Professional Class points leader; success at Winton handing the young gun a 34 point class lead from Evans.
While Tim Miles currently leads the Elite Class standings, fellow Sydneysider David Ryan will be one to watch in the class battle at his home event. Though sitting fourth in the class standings behind Miles, Sam Shahin and Anthony Gilbertson, Ryan was the class victor at the series' previous Sydney Motorsport Park round just two months prior at the Porsche Rennsport Australia event.
Jim Campbell enters the round the form racer in the Elite Class following his class round win at Winton Motor Raceway; Brian Finn, Shane Barwood and Ross McGregor look to continue their consistent seasons while John Morriss, Neville Stewart and Tony Martin return to the series after appearances earlier in the year.
GT3 Cup Chalenge will again hold three races across the Sydney round, though the long distance race traditionally held late on Saturday will take place on Sunday morning.
The two Sunday races of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, along with the entire Sunday race schedule of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals round in Sydney, is available to view via live stream from www.thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday July 01, 2016
11:50am – Practice 1 (20 minutes)
3:15pm Practice 2 (20 minutes)
Saturday July 02, 2016
8:50am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:12pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:53pm Race 1 (9 laps)
Sunday July 03, 2016
9:34pm Race 2 (30 laps)
1:17pm Race 3 (9 laps)
Entry List
#4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory Partners
#8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue
#10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing Pty Ltd.
#72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing
#82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
#91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
#95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Hardeman, Campbell and Stutterd Secure Winton Round Success
Hamish Hardeman has claimed an impressive clean sweep of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli race wins at Winton Motor Raceway; while Jim Campbell scored his maiden Elite Class round victory and Danny Stutterd continued his Class B stronghold.
Hardeman followed his dominant Saturday performance, which included pole position and an 18.5 second victory in the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race, with convincing victories in Sunday's two 12 lap sprint races on a day that saw former points leader Jaxon Evans' title prospects take a hit.
In race one, front-row starters Hardeman and Evans entered the opening chicane side-by-side; the pair touched and Evans spun and ultimately retired from the race after subsequent contact with following cars – an accident that also forced the retirement of Brian Finn, Ross McGregor and Anthony Gilbertson, handing Hardeman the upper hand in the standings.
Hardeman continued his streak in race three, taking victory over Evans in second, who executed an impressive charge through the field to place second from the rear of the grid.
Hardeman now holds a 36 point lead in the outright standings from Evans and Klarich.
"This was my best performance of the year so far. We worked out a really good set up and the car got better every race. I was really confident with what was underneath me," said Hardeman, who set a new lap record in race three, improving on the previous best time he set on Saturday.
"I'm really happy to get the points lead; it really boosts my confidence. I'm stoked to be in this position and I feel I can continue this performance for the rest of the year."
Jake Klarich, who scored a season-high result of second in race two, claimed his best round result of second at Winton from Evans in third.
Elite Class runner Campbell celebrated his maiden class round victory with a strong and consistent effort in all three Winton races.
After placing fourth in class in Saturday's endurance race, Campbell took two class wins on Sunday to edge out class points leader Tim Miles and David Ryan for the top step of the Elite Class podium.
"It was great to get the two class wins today. Tim Miles was having a good go in race two and David Ryan was right behind me in race three so I couldn't relax in either race today. I had to work hard for it, so it was good to get this result," said Campbell.
Miles placed second for the round in the Elite Class from Ryan in third, with Sam Shahin narrowly missing out on his second class podium result of the season.
Stutterd continued his Class B dominance with a clean sweep of race wins; the series rookie claiming his fifth, sixth and seventh class race win of the season.
"I'm having a ball. There's really good competition with the other guys. We've done some testing here, Richard Muscat has been helping me out and the track really suits us. I love Winton and it's great to get another Class B win here this weekend," said Stutterd.
Shane Barwood placed second for the round in Class B and was joined on the podium by Michael Tsigeridis in third.
While Hardeman moves to the outright and Professional Class points lead, Miles extended his Elite Class points lead at Winton, now sitting 45 points ahead of Shahin, with Anthony Gilbertson, Ryan and Brian Finn in a close battle for third, fourth and fifth in class.
Stutterd meanwhile holds a convincing 116 point lead in the Class B standings from Tsigeridis and Barwood.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will next race at Sydney Motorsport Park on July 01-03 for the fourth round of the six-round series.
Race 2 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic/Arris Property Group, 12 laps – 22:10.2511s
2. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 12 laps – 22:21.2344s
3. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 12 laps – 22:26.0215s
4. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 12 laps – 22:27.3232s
5. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia, 12 laps – 22:35.9709s
6. 313 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 12 laps – 22:40.3457s
7. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group, 12 laps – 22:46.0773s
8. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM, 12 laps – 23:01.7363s
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 12 laps – 23:03.0312s
10. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate, 12 laps – 23:30.6251s
11. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 12 laps – 23:40.8759s
DNF #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
DNF #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
DNF #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes
DNF #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Race 3 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic / Arris Property Group, 12 laps – 16:40.3254s
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 12 laps – 16:44.2024s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 12 laps – 16:46.3840s
4. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 12 laps – 17:05.5674s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 12 laps – 17:08.6108s
6. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 12 laps – 17:10.0770s
7. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes, 12 laps – 17:17.9804s
8. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia, 12 laps – 17:18.3661s
9. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group , 12 laps – 17:18.9286s
10. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 12 laps – 17:31.2689s
11. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 12 laps – 17:44.0690s
12. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM, 12 laps – 17:57.9599s
13. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 11 laps – 16:40.9233s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate, 11 laps – 16:44.0973s
15. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 11 laps – 17:06.8731s
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News
Hardeman, Miles and Stutterd Win Winton Endurance Opener
Hamish Hardeman has taken honours in the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season in a dominant drive throughout the 35 lap event.
Hardeman secured pole position earlier in the day and continued his pace-setting performance into the endurance race. The Victorian was challenged in the opening laps by Jaxon Evans however, as the race progressed, Hardeman increased his lead to ultimately claim a 18.5 second victory from Evans, his first in the one-make series following six-straight second place finishes.
"I think it's about time to get the win and I'm absolutely over the moon. I had good test days and the team set the car up perfectly so we deserved this today," said Hardeman, who posted a new lap record of 1:22.4664, two seconds quicker than the previous mark of 1:24.4543 set by reigning champion, Ryan Simpson.
"I did a couple of endurance rounds last year and I really enjoy the longer races so it's important to do well and try to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy this season. I definitely want to win the outright title, but the Endurance Trophy would be special also."
David Ryan was sitting third for the first half of the race but was quickly demoted in the order after spinning at the Winton sweeper on lap 21, handing third to Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich.
Tim Miles, who battled with Klarich in the opening half of the race, placed fourth and claimed the Elite Class race win, with Ryan recovering from his earlier off-track excursion to finish fifth.
"I'm really happy with the Elite Class race win. The team tuned me up; I wasn't fast enough in qualifying so McElrea Racing did a fantastic just job in making some changes to the car and some changes to what I'm doing. I was actually half-a-second quicker in the race than in qualifying," said Miles.
"I had a really good battle with Jake; that was the second battle with him following Sydney Motorsport Park. The little whipper snapper is just a little too quick."
Brian Finn and Jim Campbell overcame opening lap spins to charge through the field to an impressive sixth and seventh outright, and third and fourth in the Elite Class, by the finish while Sam Shahin, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, looked strong for the majority of the race in sixth before a late race spin at the sweeper dropped him to eighth by the chequered flag.
Anthony Gilbertson placed ninth from Michael Stillwell and Class B race winner Danny Stutterd, who was among a tremendous class battle with Michael Tsigeridis and numerous Class A runners. Ross McGregor placed 12th outright from debutant Chris Stillwell, Tsigeridis and Shane Barwood in 15th.
The final two 12 lap Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli races at Winton Motor Raceway will be held on Sunday. To view these races, along with the entire Sunday race programme of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, head to the live stream on www.thenationals.com.au.
Race 1 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic/Arris Property Group – 35 laps, 48:44.5984
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 35 laps, 49:03.0803s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 35 laps, 49:37.9190s
4. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 35 laps, 49:48.8681s
5. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic – 35 laps, 49:56.0059s
6. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 34 laps, 48:51.5786s
7. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 34 laps, 49:06.0591s
8. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 34 laps, 49:08.6740s
9. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes – 34 laps, 49:09.6156s
10. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 34 laps, 49:29.5217s
11. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 33 laps, 48:51.4351s
12. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 33 laps, 48:59.1304s
13. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group – 33 laps, 48:59.8062s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 33 laps, 49:02.9086s
15. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 33 laps, 49:06.5366s
Race Schedule
Sunday June 12, 2016
10:25am Race 2 (12 laps)
1:40pm Race 3 (12 laps)
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News
Records Set to Tumble as Gt3 Cup Challenge Takes to Winton
Winton Motor Raceway lap records are expected to tumble this weekend as leading Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli racers set unprecedented lap times following the circuit's recent resurfacing.
Following the Porsche series' two Friday practice sessions, young gun Hamish Hardeman topped the combined times with a lap of 1:22.6254, posted in the day second practice session.
With the Winton race lap record currently standing at 1:24.4543 by reigning champion Ryan Simpson, a new top time is expected this weekend.
Series leader Jaxon Evans was the second fastest driver on Friday from top Elite Class racer Tim Miles and Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich.
The top 10 was completed by David Ryan, Brian Finn, Jim Campbell, Sam Shahin, Winton debutant Anthony Gilbertson and quickest Class B runner, Danny Stutterd.
Michael Stillwell was the 11th quickest from Ross McGregor, Michael Tsigeridis and Shane Barwood.
The series will hold its final practice session of the weekend tomorrow morning, followed by qualifying to determine the starting positions for the all-important opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season.
The 35 lap event will be the first of three endurance style races of the season – which also includes races at Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway – which will crown the endurance champion of the series-within-a-series.
A further two 12 lap races will be held on Sunday, both of which will be streamed live, along with the entire Sunday race programme, at the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals website, www.thenationals.com.au.
Combined Practice Times
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic/Arris Property Group – 1:22.6254*
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 1:22.8843s
3. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 1:24.3566s
4. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 1:24.3942s
5. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic – 1:24.7447s
6. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 1:24.8137s
7. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 1:25.1191s
8. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:25.3931s
9. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes – 1:25.9920s
10. #32 Danny Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 1:27.1281s
11. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 1:27.2954s
12. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 1:27.3047s
13. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 1:28.2386s
14. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 1:29.1660s
Race Schedule
Saturday June 11, 2016
9:30am-9:50am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
11:45am-12:05pm Qualifying (20minutes)
3:05pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday June 12, 2016
10:25am Race 2 (12 laps)
1:40pm Race 3 (12 laps)
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News
Gt3 Cup Challenge Heads to Winton as Enduro Battle Begins
With two exciting sprint events completed for 2016, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will this weekend enter its first Jim Richards Endurance Trophy event of the season at Winton Motor Raceway.
The third event of 2016 will see the one-make series complete a 35-lap endurance race on Saturday evening as the first leg of the three race endurance series, which also includes endurance races at Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway.
Rewarding outright points only, Jaxon Evans and Hamish Hardeman enter the first leg of the 'The Jim' enduro title as favourites having been the series front-runners to date. Though history shows that consistency, not outright pace, is vital for Endurance Trophy success. Evans and Hardeman will also have to keep an eye on emerging Porsche Junior Jake Klarich, who continues his rise in the category after just two events.
The intense Elite Class battle will continue at Winton as Tim Miles and David Ryan enter the round with one class round win a piece and will likely continue at the front of the largest class in the field. The rise of Sam Shahin will see the South Australian likely challenge the leading duo, as will newcomer Anthony Gilbertson, who placed third in class at Rennsport, Class B graduates Brian Finn and Jim Campbell and seasoned Class A campaigner, Ross McGregor.
The Winton round will also see the series debut of Chris Stillwell, joining brother Michael Stillwell on the GT3 Cup Challenge grid. The duo will be the first brothers competing together in the series since John and Phil Morriss raced at the Phillip Island finale in 2011.
Four cars will contest the Class B division at Winton, with Danny Stutterd currently leading the class standings. Rennsport round victor Richard Gartner will not make the Winton grid, leaving Stutterd, Michael Tsigeridis, Neville Stewart and Shane Barwood to fight for the round three podium.
Following the 35 lap endurance race on Saturday, the series will hold two 12 lap Sunday races to conclude the race weekend, both of which will be streamed live, along with the entire Sunday race programme, at the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals website, www.thenationals.com.au.
Entry List
#4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators/Miles Advisory Partners
#6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia
#8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics
#10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic
#32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM
#72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing
#82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
#81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
#91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
#95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Race Schedule
Friday June 10, 2016
12:00pm-12:20pm Practice 1 (20 minutes)
3:00pm-3:20pm Practice 2 (20 minutes)
4:00pm Meeting Rides
Saturday June 11, 2016
9:30am-9:50am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
11:45am-12:05pm Qualifying (20minutes)
3:05pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday June 12, 2016
10:25am Race 2 (12 laps)
1:40pm Race 3 (12 laps)
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News
Evans, Ryan and Gartner Take Rennsport Victories
Evans, Ryan and Gartner take Porsche Rennsport GT3 Cup Challenge victories
JAXON EVANS has swept to his maiden Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli round victory at Sydney Motorsport Park – but he had to get past Hamish Hardeman to do it.
Meanwhile, David Ryan won the Elite class and Richard Gartner took out a close contest for Class B amidst the competitive GT3 Cup Challenge grid at the Porsche Rennsport festival.
Having grabbed pole and race one on Saturday, Evans won the second race of the weekend on Sunday morning comfortably, however then spent 22 of the 25 laps of the weekend-ending feature race bottled up behind his young rival from Sonic Motor Racing.
In a titanic tussle, the pair ran side by side on several occasions before Evans was finally able to sneak up the inside at turn two with just three laps remaining.
It was the McElrea Racing driver's first GT3 Cup Challenge victory and also elevated him to the lead of the series standings in the process.
"It was such a long race. Hamish got the car off the line and he made me work for it," said Evans of the huge scrap with Hardeman.
"It's good to know we can race clean and fair against each other. It's was awesome to come out on top. It's an awesome result and I'm so happy to have my first round victory here at Rennsport, with all the Porsche's and Carrera Cup on display.
"We're looking forward to the next round already and hopefully we can come out on top by the end of it."
Hardeman was philosophical in finishing second as he continues to learn in his first full season of racing in his Porsche GT3 Cup Car.
The young Victorian now sits second in the standings, eight points behind Evans thanks to his trio of second-place race finishes this weekend in Sydney.
"After having the discussion with my team I need to work on my style a little bit to improve on the areas where I was lacking compared to Jaxon," Hardeman explained.
"But overall, we were spitting out the same lap times and I felt like I gained and learned across the weekend. I got more and more confidence as the weekend went on and we changed the car to suit my style. We're going to Winton and will be trying to be in front of him at the next round."
Porsche junior Jake Klarich finished third overall, his first podium finish in the GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli.
Klarich finished third in race two and spent the early stages of race three bottled up behind Tim Miles before ultimately passing his teammate to secure third for the round.
Miles and fellow Elite class competitor David Ryan battled all weekend for the class round victory, Sydney driver Ryan sneaking home by just one solitary point after finishing in fifth in the 25-lap feature race.
The result was a sensational result for the home-town hero as he rebounded from a zero-score at the season opener in Melbourne last month.
"It's absolutely fantastic," Ryan said.
"We had a really good weekend and great racing with Tim. It's fantastic to come back with this result after Sandown after all the dramas and with the round win and there wasn't much between Tim and I. I thought we could give him a bit of a harder push but he's fast and it's going to be close for the remainder of the year.
"There's guys like Anthony on the pace, Sam Shahin and others right in the hunt in the Elite class."
Miles finished second in class with GT3 Cup Challenge Australia rookie Anthony Gilbertson grabbing his maiden podium by finishing third in class.
Richard Gartner won a tight class B battle for the round, trading race victories this weekend with round one winner Daniel Stuttered.
The pair swapped position several times across Sunday's two races with Gartner winning the class in race two and Stuttered in 3.
Neville Stewart finished third in class on his debut in the GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.
The next round of the championship will see the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli re-join the Shannons Nationals when the series travels to Winton Motor Raceway on June 10-12.
STANDINGS – After Round 2
- Jaxon Evans 158
- Hamish Hardeman 150
- Tim Miles 114
- Jake Klarich 110
- Ryan Simpson 90
- Sam Shahin 90
- Anthony Gilbertson 78
- Brian Finn 70
- David Ryan 56
- John Goodacre 46
ELITE CLASS:
- Tim Miles 172
- Sam Shahin 131
- Anthony Gilbertson 120
- Brian Finn 111
- David Ryan 81
CLASS B
- Daniel Stuttered 173
- Richard Gartner 88
- Michael Tsigeridis 75
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News
Evans Storms to Maiden Gt3 Cup Challenge Victory
JAXON EVANS has stormed to a dominant maiden Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli race victory at Sydney Motorsport Park, while David Ryan (Elite) and Richard Gartner (class B) took the class honours.
Evans started from pole – his second in two rounds – and led from start to finish, winning the 12-lap race by more than 13 seconds in a dominant performance.
Hamish Hardeman finished second and Jake Klarich third, however no one could catch Evans as he flew to a maiden Porsche triumph in just his fourth race start in outright machinery.
"It was a good start to the race. I was able to get a little bit of a gap on the field and was able to pull away, relax and get in the groove," Evans said.
"I couldn't have asked for a better start to the weekend and it's a great start for tomorrow.
"Big thanks the team and our supporters for getting us to this point, and hopefully it's the start of something even more."
Hardeman maintained his consistent run of form with second while Klarich had to work for his first ever Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge podium, driving his way through the field after a slow start dropped him down the order on the first lap.
The first Australian official Porsche Junior driver dropped to sixth by the end of the first lap but quickly worked his way back to third, where he started.
Sydneysider David Ryan finished a stunning fourth outright, but crucially also won the Elite class battle to rebound superbly from a damaging opening round where he scored zero points.
Ryan had earlier qualified fourth but ran third for much of the race before Klarich was able to charge his way through.
"It's a big relief after Sandown because it was pretty tough down there, so to come back and get first is fantastic. It was feeling pretty good down there before we came off so this is great.
"It was a straightforward race. The back tyres, when they get hot, get pretty slippery so I was just trying to control the pace and make sure I looked after the rear tyres so we could have the pace at the end – and that's what happened."
Sam Shahin qualified and started fifth, posting one of his best Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia performances yet.
The South Australian driver was involved in a heady fight for fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth for much of the race but was able to hold off stern challenges from both Tim Miles and John Morriss to grab a strong top five, and second in Elite.
Morriss finished sixth one day after his birthday, despite having to re-pass several cars after running wide at turn two mid-race.
The Victorian driver had charged his way to fifth place however had to do a lot of the work again after the brief moment.
Brian Finn finished an excellent seventh, one spot ahead of Tim Miles – who's already rough day was compounded when he was penalised 5 seconds for a track limit infringement during the race.
Sandown's Elite class winner also ran wide at turn seven mid-race, costing him time and track position.
Anthony Gilbertson finished ninth, rebounding from a spin on the second lap while running fourth.
Richard Gartner won Class B on his return to the GT3 Cup Challenge, racing his Safe-T-Stop Porsche with the Wall Racing team this weekend.
"I got a great start and was able to stay out of trouble at turn one," Gartner said.
"From there it was one of the easiest races I've ever had and I brought the car home – I'm very happy!"
Round 1 Class B winner Danny Stuttered finished one spot behind Gartner after spinning at turn two on the opening lap of the race.
The second round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli continues tomorrow with a second 12-lap sprint race to be followed by a one-hour feature later in the day.
Both races will be streamed live via the Motorsports TV website, app and Speedcafe.com
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News
Young Guns Closely Matched After Sydney Practice
THE Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli is set for another classic Sonic Motor Racing versus McElrea Racing battle at the front of the field this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Sonic driver Hamish Hardeman topped official practice today at the Porsche Rennsport festival, his 1m31.3216s lap edging out McElrea's Jaxon Evans by 0.23s at the end of the third and final 20-minute practice session.
Both Hardeman and Evans were under Ryan Simpson's Sydney Motorsport Park lap record today, utilising ideal conditions to go 0.3s under the existing benchmark ahead of qualifying and the first race scheduled for Saturday.
Porsche junior driver Jake Klarich finished third while his teammate Tim Miles was fastest of the Elite class runners in fourth.
Victorian driver Hardeman sits second in the championship following the opening round at Sandown last month, and is looking to build on his strong start to the season this weekend in Sydney.
"It's been a good day considering last time I was here was six months ago," he said.
"The first session it was good to go out and get some confidence. In the second session the car didn't feel as good so in the (third) official practice then we made some changes and it felt awesome and on point."
Hardeman is without a teammate this weekend – defending champion Ryan Simpson was only due to contest the first round of the series this year – however Hardeman believes having Simpson as a team mate has improved his driving.
"I'm really building on what we did at Sandown," he explained.
"It was great to have Ryan as a teammate and get his feedback and his data – that's taught me a lot. This weekend I'm building on Sandown and keeping that momentum rolling and hopefully getting some wins."
David Ryan finished fifth fastest today in his fully rebuilt 997 GT3 Cup Car, the Sydney-based driver looking to rebound from a horror opening round at Sandown where he failed to register a score.
Jim Campbell finished sixth quickest today, just ahead of Sam Shahin, John Morriss, Anthony Gilbertson and Brian Finn.
Round 1 winner Daniel Stutterd topped the class B times, 0.5s faster than the returning Richard Gartner and Neville Stewart.
The second round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli is being held in conjunction with the Porsche Rennsport Festival at Sydney Motorsport Park, with all of Saturday and Sunday's action to be streamed live via Motorsports TV and Speedcafe.com this weekend.
GT3 Cup Challenge competitors will qualify for their first race at 9:50am on Saturday ahead of race one at 2:10pm.
Sunday's program will feature a second sprint race and end with a one-hour mini-enduro on Sunday afternoon.
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News
Close Gt3 Cup Challenge Fight to Continue at Rennsport
A clearer championship picture should be the result of the second round of the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series, to be held this weekend at Sydney's Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival.
Defending champion Ryan Simpson dominated the opening round at Sandown last month however his victory came in what was a one-off appearance, which means that the forthcoming round at Sydney Motorsport Park will be as open as they come.
Two young stars at the pointy end of the grid will be looking to establish their championship credentials early in the season, following strong performances in the season opener.
Sonic Motor Racing's Hamish Hardeman (second) and McElrea Racing's Jaxon Evans (third) both ran at the front at Sandown and will look to do the same at the very different Sydney Motorsport Park.
Just 10 points split Hardeman and Evans following the opening round with each looking to assert themselves at the top prior to the mid-season Jim Richards Endurance Trophy kicking off in June.
Evans scored his first GT3 Cup Challenge pole at Sandown however getting his Porsche off the line proved challenging – ultimately costing him a chance at winning.
However, his impressive race pace ensured that he was able to work his way back to the front of the field in each race and grab the final spot on the podium.
Evans' teammate, Porsche Junior driver Jake Klarich, will be another looking forward to consistently improving when he gets to the 3.9km Sydney Motorsport Park layout.
The multiple karting champion sits seventh in the overall standings following the first round at Sandown – his racing debut behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
"I loved every moment of my first round. I was trying to adapt to the track and the car every session we went out and hopefully we can get a bit closer to the front in Sydney," Klarich said.
"I did one test day at Sydney in February and it went quite well so hopefully we can keep improving."
Hardeman, meanwhile, finished second to Simpson in all three races at Sandown and with his teammate not running this weekend, enters the round as the leading 'full time' driver in the standings.
Just trailing the leading outright drivers, Tim Miles won the Elite class at Sandown to commence his championship campaign in style.
Deep competition within the semi-pro GT3 Cup Challenge ranks this year means that back-to-back round victories are no guarantees for the ex-pat Kiwi racer, who drives for McElrea Racing.
The impressive Sam Shahin and category newcomer Anthony Gilbertson both featured amongst the results in the opening round – Shahin logging his personal best GT3 Cup Challenge performance and Gilbertson impressing on his debut to one-make Porsche racing.
The pair sit second and fourth, respectively, in the competitive Elite Class standings following the opening round.
Meanwhile, a horror season opener for Sydneysider David Ryan will see the driver of the #30 GT3 Cup car hoping to rebound in style on his home circuit.
Ryan qualified fastest of the Elite Class runners at Sandown – and an impressive fourth outright – however crashed heavily at the top of the famous 'Rise' in Sandown's back straight during the opening race.
A late-night repair effort came to nothing as he was unable to avoid a stalled car at the start of the second race, leaving him with zero points from the opening round.
The Class B fight – for earlier 2007-specificatoin Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars – will also be worth watching after a competitive opening round at Sandown saw leading contenders Danny Stutterd, Michael Tsigeridis and Shane Barwood all race competitively.
Stuttered leads the class after taking three class victories at Sandown, after being edged to the class pole position by Tsigeridis.
A strong 16-car field will tackle the second round of the series, familiar faces Richard Gartner and John Morriss set to re-join the grid, alongside newcomers Michael Stilwell and Neville Stewart.
The Porsche Rennsport event will be the final sprint round before the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia launches into 'enduro' mode at the following round at Winton, in June, with the country Victorian circuit to host the first of three Jim Richards Endurance Trophy events this season.
As such the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli field will tackle three sprint races across the Porsche Rennsport Australia program.
Race Schedule
Friday 29 April 2016
9:50am Practice 1 (20 minutes)
11:20am Practice 2 (20 minutes)
1:20pm Practice 3 (20 minutes)
Saturday 30 April 2016
9:50am Qualifying (20 minutes)
2:10pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday 1 May 2016
11:05am Race 2 (12 laps)
3:45pm Race 3 (24 laps)
Round 2 Entry List
#4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory Partners
#6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia
#8 Neville Stewart (Class B) Asset Partner / Racing Dynamics
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar Venue
#10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services/arris property group
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing/Hallmark Homes
#30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic
#32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing
#69 Richard Gartner (Class B) Safe-T-Stop
#72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing
#82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
#91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
#95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Simpson Sweeps Sandown as Miles and Stutterd Grab the Champagne
RYAN SIMPSPON, Tim Miles and Daniel Stutterd were the big winners from the opening round of the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Sandown Raceway.
Simpson completed a clean-sweep of the round and re-set the lap record this weekend to take the sixth round victory of his remarkable Porsche career – second of all time in the category.
Perfect starts were the key to Simpson's success, launching off the line brilliantly in both races two and three on Sunday to build an early lead that no one was able to beat.
"I got a great start in the final race and wanted to get a bit of a gap early," Simpson said following his race three win.
"It's been a great weekend and after making the decision late to join the field this weekend it's been great to come away with three wins and the lap record.
"It's good to get the lap record – last year was an 11.7 and we've taken it down to a 1m11.1 so we're getting faster and faster all weekend.
Simpson's Sonic Motor Racing teammate Hamish Hardeman finished second overall for the weekend, his best finish since making his Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge debut mid-way through last year's series.
Hardeman finished all three races in second position, making a strong start to his title charge this year.
Jaxon Evans finished third, another driver to bank his best-ever series result this weekend at Sandown. Race starts cost Evans – who grabbed pole on Saturday – track position this weekend however his race pace was as fast as his Sonic rivals.
A brief off at turn two early in the third race dropped him to fourth on the road, having scored podiums in races one and two, respectively.
Porsche Junior Jake Klarich impressed on his Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series debut, a weekend-high fifth place in race two on Sunday morning the highlight of a solid weekend of learning.
Evans' McElrea Racing teammate Tim Miles won the Elite class at Sandown, a stunning weekend including third outright in the final race as he battled with Evans for the duration of the race for the final spot on the podium.
Miles was delighted with the strong weekend and a strong start to his 2016 championship campaign.
"We're wrapped with that. We've had great pace all weekend and to win the Elite class is great, but finishing third outright in the last race was sensational," Miles said.
"Jaxon's car had a few bits missing but I really wanted to finish in front of him!
"There seems to be about six or seven guys in the Elite class with the pace to win so I'm really looking forward to the season."
A career-best weekend for Sam Shahin saw the South Australian grab second in Elite, including a stunning fifth outright in the final race of the weekend.
Shahin edged out fellow Adelaidian John Goodacre for the final spot on the Elite podium, the GAP Solutions driver successfully completing his 100th Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge race when he crossed the line sixth in the Sandown finale'.
The most experienced diver in the GT3 Cup Challenge field is likely to sit on the sidelines for the near future however was thankful for his time in the championship – one that includes starts in 34 of the 47 rounds contested since the series' formation.
"We've had a great time in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, it's been great fun and the racing has been fantastic," Goodacre said.
"On and off the track the series has been a great place to be and though we might not be seen for the rest of this year it's been a great experience on and off the track – thanks to everyone behind the scenes at Porsche and everyone I've raced on the track for making it so good."
Three consistent finishes across the three races delivered Daniel Stutterd his maiden victory in Class B this weekend, the FREEM supported driver winning all three races and setting all three fastest laps in a superb performance.
Michael Tsigeridis and Shane Barwood completed the Class B podium.
The second round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will see the series head to Sydney Motorsport Park to form a major part of the second Porsche Rennsport Festival, to be held on April 29-May 1.
There the series will compete alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in a weekend-long festival of all things Porsche.
Round 1 Results:
Professional / Outright
- Ryan Simpson 93
- Hamish Hardeman 75
- Jaxon Evans 66
Elite Class
- Tim Miles 92
- Sam Shahin 72
- John Goodacre 68
Class B
- Daniel Stutterd 93
- Michael Tsigeridis 75
- Shane Barwood 66
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News
Simpson, Miles and Stutterd Open 2016 Accounts at Sandown
RYAN SIMPSON picked up where he left off in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli – sweeping to a commanding race victory and a new lap record in the opening race of the 2016 season today at Sandown.
Starting from second on the grid, Simpson made the perfect start and was never headed on his way to a comfortable victory over his teammate Hamish Hardeman and polesitter Jaxon Evans.
Tim Miles won the Elite class after erstwhile class leader David Ryan crashed at turn seven with two laps remaining in the race, while Daniel Stutterd stormed to the Class B victory ahead of Michael Tsigeridis.
Once in the lead Simpson broke Jon McCorkindale's one year old lap record five times to leave the new benchmark standing at 1m11.3691s.
"It was the best start I have ever made. Last year I wasn't getting the best starts so I spoke with the guys and we came up with the best formula and it worked," Simpson said.
"We started the weekend really searching for setup and grip in the track but in the race it was really good. Once you started to get some grip into the tyres the pace came – it's good to get some lap records!"
Jaxon Evans had earlier scored his first Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge pole position in qualifying, however a slow start saw him only fourth at the end of the first racing lap – behind Simpson, Hardeman and Ryan.
Ryan held off the advances of the young charger for three laps however Evans finally slipped past at turn nine on the lap four – pulling away in pursuit of the leaders.
Ryan then fell into the clutches of Miles, the pair running in close company until the penultimate lap, when Ryan locked a brake at turn six – running off the road at high speed.
The Sydney driver emerged unscathed from the accident, while Miles inherited fourth place and the class race victory ahead of John Goodacre and Sam Shahin.
Ryan said the damage was mainly cosmetic and expects to make the start of race two tomorrow, while Miles was pleased with his race performance.
"It was a good race and I really enjoyed it, though I didn't enjoy watching Dave crash," Tim Miles said.
"I was keeping the pressure on him and doing as much as I could and it was really enjoyable. We've had good pace all weekend so I'm very, very happy."
In his 98th race, John Goodacre finished fifth and Sam Shahin sixth having started eighth.
Brian Finn, series rookie Jake Klarich, Anthony Gilbertson and Michael Vati completed the top-10.
Class B winner Stutterd had qualified second in class but stormed to the class win in style today, finishing 12th outright in his earlier generation Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car.
Earlier in qualifying, Jaxon Evans timed his run to perfection to score his maiden Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli pole position.
Evans banked his time early in the 20-minute session while his Sonic Motor Racing rivals waited until the second half of the session before attempting to bank a time – only to be hindered by a red flag cutting down their opportunity to use the new Pirelli rubber to their advantage.
Ryan Simpson ultimately fell 0.02s short of grabbing pole, with Hardeman 0.6s behind.
David Ryan qualified fourth and fastest of the Elite class runners – and less than one-second from pole – while Tim Miles, John Goodacre, Jake Klarich, Sam Shahin, Anthony Gilbertson and Brian Finn completed the top-10.
Two further races will complete the opening round of the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season tomorrow, both to be streamed live via www.thenationals.com.au
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News
Close Practice Times Point to Competitive Sandown Season Opener
DEFENDING Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli Champion Ryan Simpson looks to have a fight on his hands this weekend at Sandown Raceway, after young-gun rival Jaxon Evans narrowly bested him in practice today.
John Goodacre topped the Elite class runners across the two sessions today while Michael Tsigeridis was the fastest in Class B.
Evans' practice two time of 1m13.30s was just 0.04s faster than Simpson's practice one benchmark, setting the scene for a thrilling battle at the front of the field this weekend.
"It was a good start to the weekend which is great because there's plenty to play for," said Evans, who made his Porsche debut at Sandown twelve months ago.
"This place is pretty cool – I had my first Porsche race here last year. It's fast and there's some big stops and there's always some good close racing.
"I'm hoping to mix it up with Hamish (Hardeman), Ryan Simpson and the fastest Elite guys. It's a big challenge but I'm looking forward to it."
Simpson's Sonic Motor Racing teammate Hamish Hardeman shaded the two fastest drivers today, finishing just 0.1 seconds behind, while Elite class frontrunners Goodacre, David Ryan and Tim Miles were all well within striking distance of the leaders.
A 17-strong Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge field practiced today across two, 20-minute sessions ahead of a busy Saturday schedule that includes a further practice, qualifying and the first 12-lap race of the season.
A learning day for Jamie Blaikie Porsche Scholarship winner Jake Klarich saw him focus on getting experience behind the wheel of his McElrea Racing-prepared Porsche and at the challenging 3.2km Sandown venue.
Despite selected issues costing the karting graduate track time, Klarich was looking forward to the chance for more laps tomorrow.
"It's been a massive learning day," Klarich said.
"I haven't had as much track time as I would have liked and between traffic and red flags I've probably only had three flying laps.
"I'm still trying to learn the track and build confidence but the car is capable of running at the front so tomorrow will be good."
A close battle in the Elite class is expected again this year, with today's pacesetter John Goodacre, David Ryan, Tim Miles, Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin all closely bunched after today's two sessions.
Despite setting the fastest Elite class time of the day in practice one, Goodacre found the gravel in the second session when he was one of several drivers to be caught out by a hefty tailwind on the blustery Melbourne day.
The Adelaide driver is set to start his 100th race on Sunday – the first driver in the history of the category to reach the milestone.
Saturday will see a third practice session held at 9:35am prior to qualifying (12:00) and the first race of the weekend at 3:15pm.
Race Schedule
Saturday April 02, 2016
9:35am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:00pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
3:15pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday April 02, 2016
10:05am Race 2 (12 laps)
1:40pm Race 3 (12 laps)
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News
John Hits Ton as Gt3 Cup Challenge Starts Season 2016
Fresh faces, surprise inclusions and an imminent centurion highlight the opening round of the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season this weekend at Sandown Raceway.
The ninth year of the popular Porsche series will see a 17-strong field line up for the opening round, highlighted by the significant milestone of seasoned South Australian racer John Goodacre who will, should he contest all three Sandown races, complete the round with his 100th GT3 Cup Challenge race – the first driver to accomplish the feat.
Goodacre finished second to Geoff Emery in the 2015 Elite Class standings, though while the latter has departed the series, competition in the semi-professional division will be just as strong.
Returning drivers Tim Miles, David Ryan, Sam Shahin and Ross McGregor have increased their level of competition, Brian Finn has upgraded to a 2011-spec 911 GT3 Cup, Tony Martin returns having raced a limited 2015 campaign, former regular Phil Morriss returns for another stint in the one-make series while Mike Vati and Anthony Gilbertson prepare for their series debut at Sandown.
The Professional Class will test several young racers against the 2015 benchmark – the returning champion.
Hamish Hardeman returns to GT3 Cup Challenge for his second season, as does Jaxon Evans, upgrading to a 2011-spec 911 to compete among the front-runners after finishing runner-up in the Class B division last season. Jamey Blaikie Scholarship recipient Jake Klarich will also compete in the Professional Class; a tough initiation for the debutant as the only newcomer to the class.
And then there's Ryan Simpson. The Sydneysider and 2015 champion broke a multitude of series records last season – including race wins, round wins, pole positions – and was not expected to return to GT3 Cup Challenge competition when his last minute return sent a shiver up the spine of the series' front-runners.
The Class B battle will be between regulars Shane Barwood and Michael Tsigeridis and GT3 Cup Challenge newcomer, Danny Stutterd.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold two practice sessions across Friday, practice, qualifying and race one on Saturday, and race two and three on Sunday.
To watch the final two Porsche races, along with the entire Sunday racing programme of the opening Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals round, visit the Shannons Nationals website at www.thenationals.com.au.
For those looking to attend this weekend's opening Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli round, CAMS is offering free entry for all CAMS license holders along with affordable pricing for the Sandown event.
Race Schedule
Friday April 01, 2016
12:30pm Practice 1 (20 minutes)
3:25pm Practice 2 (20 minutes)
Saturday April 02, 2016
9:35am Practice 3 (20 minutes)
12:00pm Qualifying (20 minutes)
3:15pm Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday April 02, 2016
10:05am Race 2 (12 laps)
1:40pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Ticket Pricing
CAMS Member Free entry all weekend with CAMS licence shown at gate
Under 15: Free entry
Friday: Free entry
Saturday: $15
Sunday: $25
Weekend pass: $35
Round 1 Entry List
1. # 1 Ryan Simpson (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Parramatta Smash Repairs
2. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators/Miles Advisory Partners
3. #9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) Triffid Bar + Venue
4. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing Services / Adina Property Group
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
6. #17 Mike Vati (Elite Class) Zoo York
7. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
8. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
9. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic
10. #32 Danny Stutterd (Class B) Freem
11. #34 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing
12. #66 John Goodacre (Elite Class) GAP Solutions/Ezi-POS
13. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate
14. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
15. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
16. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster
17. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
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News
Klarich Named First Local Porsche Junior
Young West Australian racer Jake Klarich has become Australia's first Porsche Junior after being awarded the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship for 2016.
The Toowoomba-born, Perth-based karter was selected as the Scholarship recipient following an extensive selection process, which evaluated each applicant on their driving ability and success, attitude, communication skills and considered potential to become a professional racing driver.
Following interviews with a shortlist of drivers, Klarich was selected as the first driver to be part of the Porsche Junior Programme Australia initiative and receive the Scholarship in honour of the late Jamey Blaikie, who was responsible for the introduction and growth of Porsche motorsport in Australia.
Pirelli, as a major partner of the programme, will provide Klarich with race tyres for the 2016 GT3 Cup Challenge season. Klarich will also receive a Freem race suit and driver apparel, free entry to the series, media and fitness training and mentorship throughout the season.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to receive the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship and be the very first Porsche Junior in Australia. It's an honour and truly exciting to be part of this programme," said Klarich, who will compete with Queensland team, McElrea Racing.
"To be aligned with Porsche at such an early stage in my career is amazing. The brand has such a strong presence in motorsport both in Australia and globally and I look forward to climbing the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, starting with GT3 Cup Challenge this season.
"GT3 Cup Challenge is a great first step out of karting and lays the foundation for Carrera Cup, which is where I hope to go next. I'll do all I can to be in that championship in the future in the hope for a professional motor racing career. I'd like to thank Porsche Cars Australia for the opportunity and I look forward to starting the season with the brand."
Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager, Kurt Sakzewski, is pleased to have Klarich represent the programme in its inaugural year.
"The calibre of applicants was second-to-none; we went to great lengths to review every application and interviewed every driver on our shortlist. Upon lengthy consideration, we found Jake to be an outstanding young man and have the greatest potential as the recipient of the Scholarship to move up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid," said Sakzewski.
"Jake has impressed with his ability in karting and we look forward to nurturing his talent in a Porsche race car. He also brings the right attitude to the programme, which shined through in his interview, along with his exceptional ability to communicate. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a driver as the season progresses."
The opening round of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will be held at Sandown Raceway on April 01-03, 2016.
Career Profile: Jake Klarich
2015
Australian Kart Championship, 2nd – KZ3
WA KZ3 State Kart Championship, 1st
2014
WA KZ3 State Championship, 1st
2013
WA KZ3 State Championship, 4th
WA Formula Ford State Championship – Round 1, 2nd
2012
King of the Hill, 1st – KZ3
Carnival of Karts, 1st – Leopard Light
WSK Masters Series (Round 3, Italy), 3rd from 70 drivers
2011
CIK Stars of Karting Series, 3rd – KF3
WA State Championships, 1st – Junior National Heavy
WA State Championships, 3rd – Junior Clubman
Kalgoorlie Meritus GP Cup, 1st – KZ3 (Awarded a test with Meritus GP Formula BMW Team)
2010
WA State Championships, 1st – Junior National Light
2009
WA State Championships, 1st – Junior Clubman
WA State Championships, 1st – Junior National Light
City of Perth Championships, 1st – Junior National Light
2008
City of Perth Championships, 1st – Rookies
Western Cup Championships, 1st – Rookies
WA State Championships, 2nd – Rookies
2007
WA State Championships, 1st – Rookies
City of Perth Championships, 1st – Rookies
Western Cup Championships, 1st – Rookies
Kalgoorlie Dash for Cash, 1st – Rookies
2006
Western Cup Championships, 1st – Midgets
2005
Tiger Kart Club Championships, 1st – Midgets
City of Perth Championships, 1st – Midgets
WA State Championships, 2nd – Midgets
Andrew Greig Manager Mobility Distributor Solutions Channel at Sprint Sprint
Source: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/news/